CVE-2016-5814 in Automation RSLogix Micro Starter Lite
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Rockwell Automation RSLogix Micro Starter Lite, RSLogix Micro Developer, RSLogix 500 Starter Edition, RSLogix 500 Standard Edition, and RSLogix 500 Professional Edition allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted RSS project file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5814 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting multiple versions of Rockwell Automation's RSLogix software suite, specifically targeting the Micro Starter Lite, Micro Developer, RSLogix 500 Starter Edition, Standard Edition, and Professional Edition variants. This software is widely deployed in industrial control systems and programmable logic controller environments where it serves as the primary development platform for creating and managing automation logic. The flaw resides in the software's handling of RSS project files, which are used to store and transfer automation programs between different development environments and devices. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can potentially compromise systems without physical access, making it particularly dangerous in industrial settings where network isolation may not always be complete.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from insufficient input validation within the RSS file parsing mechanism of the affected RSLogix applications. When these applications process a specially crafted RSS project file, the software fails to properly bounds-check memory allocations, allowing an attacker to overflow adjacent memory buffers. This condition creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution, as the overflow can overwrite critical program memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 technique for Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise within industrial control environments. In manufacturing and process control settings, where these RSLogix applications are fundamental to automation logic development, successful exploitation could result in unauthorized modification of control programs, leading to production disruptions, safety hazards, or even physical damage to equipment. The affected software is commonly used in critical infrastructure sectors including oil and gas, water treatment, power generation, and manufacturing facilities, where the consequences of unauthorized code execution could be catastrophic. The remote nature of the attack vector means that threat actors can potentially compromise systems from external networks, making traditional perimeter defenses insufficient for protection. Organizations using these applications face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or network file transfers containing malicious RSS project files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5814 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should immediately apply available vendor patches and updates to all affected RSLogix software versions, as Rockwell Automation released specific fixes addressing this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these development environments to untrusted networks, particularly ensuring that only authorized personnel can access systems running the vulnerable software. Input validation and file handling restrictions should be enforced at network boundaries and within development environments to prevent processing of untrusted RSS files. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect suspicious file processing activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of software supply chain security and the need for organizations to maintain up-to-date inventories of all industrial control system software components to ensure timely patch deployment. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting user privileges within development environments can significantly reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.