CVE-2016-9343 in Logix5000
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Rockwell Automation Logix5000 Programmable Automation Controller FRN 16.00 through 21.00 (excluding all firmware versions prior to FRN 16.00, which are not affected). By sending malformed common industrial protocol (CIP) packet, an attacker may be able to overflow a stack-based buffer and execute code on the controller or initiate a nonrecoverable fault resulting in a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9343 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Rockwell Automation Logix5000 Programmable Automation Controllers running firmware versions 16.00 through 21.00. This issue specifically affects the Common Industrial Protocol implementation within these industrial control systems, creating a significant security risk for operational technology environments. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the controller's communication handling routines, where malformed CIP packets can trigger memory corruption that compromises system integrity. This flaw exists at the intersection of industrial control systems and cybersecurity, where traditional software security measures may not adequately address the unique requirements of industrial automation environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of CIP packet structures, which are fundamental to communication within Rockwell Automation's industrial control ecosystem. When a specially crafted malformed packet is transmitted to the affected controller, the insufficient bounds checking in the packet processing code allows an attacker to overflow a stack-based buffer, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the controller's operating environment. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security. The attack vector specifically targets the controller's communication stack, leveraging the industrial protocol's design to bypass normal security boundaries and gain elevated privileges within the control system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it can result in either complete system compromise or deliberate denial of service conditions that can disrupt industrial processes. When exploited successfully, an attacker could gain unauthorized access to the controller's execution environment, potentially allowing for modifications to control logic, data manipulation, or complete system takeover. The nonrecoverable fault condition mentioned in the vulnerability description indicates that the controller may enter a state where it cannot recover without manual intervention, effectively creating a persistent denial of service that could impact production operations. This scenario directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service, while also mapping to T1566.001 for Valid Accounts and T1072 for Software Deployment Tools, as exploitation may require network access and could involve deployment of malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9343 must address both immediate protection and long-term security posture improvements within industrial control environments. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate affected controllers from general network access, deploy intrusion detection systems specifically tuned to monitor for malformed CIP traffic patterns, and apply firmware updates from Rockwell Automation when available. The vulnerability's nature suggests that network-level filtering should be implemented to drop suspicious CIP packets at network boundaries, while also considering the implementation of industrial firewalls that can provide protocol-aware filtering. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify all affected controllers within their industrial control system environments, as the vulnerability affects multiple firmware versions and could potentially be exploited across various industrial automation deployments. The remediation approach should include not only patch management but also enhanced monitoring of controller communication patterns and implementation of security controls that align with NIST SP 800-82 guidelines for industrial control systems security.