CVE-2016-5805 in WPLSoft
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Delta Electronics WPLSoft, Versions prior to V2.42.11, ISPSoft, Versions prior to 3.02.11, and PMSoft, Versions prior to2.10.10. There are multiple instances of heap-based buffer overflows that may allow malicious files to cause the execution of arbitrary code or a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5805 affects several industrial software products manufactured by Delta Electronics including WPLSoft, ISPSoft, and PMSoft. These applications are commonly used in industrial control systems and automation environments where reliability and security are paramount. The affected versions of these software packages contain critical heap-based buffer overflow conditions that represent significant security risks within operational technology environments. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management practices within the software's file processing routines, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory structures through specially crafted input files.
The technical flaw manifests as heap-based buffer overflows, which occur when programs write more data to a heap-allocated buffer than it can safely hold. This condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow or injecting malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through the processing of malicious files, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise industrial control systems. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability, which is categorized under the broader family of memory safety issues that have historically led to numerous security incidents in industrial environments. The specific nature of these overflows suggests that the software fails to properly validate the size of input data before copying it into fixed-size buffers allocated on the heap.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution or denial of service scenarios. In industrial control environments, where these applications are deployed for critical infrastructure management, the potential consequences are severe. Attackers could exploit these buffer overflows to gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems, potentially disrupting critical operations or causing physical damage to equipment. The vulnerability affects multiple software products from the same vendor, indicating a systemic issue within the development practices or code reuse patterns across the product line. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for code execution, and T1499, which covers the exploitation of systems for denial of service. Organizations utilizing these industrial software platforms face significant risk of operational disruption, data compromise, or even physical safety hazards if these vulnerabilities are exploited in real-world scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected software versions to the latest releases provided by Delta Electronics. Organizations should implement comprehensive network segmentation to limit access to these industrial control systems and reduce the attack surface. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date industrial control system software and implementing robust software security practices throughout the development lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls to prevent execution of unauthorized code and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system security events. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of industrial environments are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other critical software components.