CVE-2017-10901 in PTW-WMS1
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in PTW-WMS1 firmware version 2.000.012 allows remote attackers to conduct denial-of-service attacks via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10901 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the PTW-WMS1 firmware version 2.000.012, specifically affecting the wireless management system component. This flaw exists within the device's network communication protocols and represents a significant security weakness that can be exploited by remote threat actors without requiring authentication or specialized privileges. The buffer overflow vulnerability occurs when the system processes incoming data packets without proper bounds checking, allowing malicious inputs to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This particular implementation flaw affects the device's ability to handle malformed or excessively large data payloads that are transmitted over the network interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial-of-service conditions, as it creates potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the affected network infrastructure. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted network packets that trigger the buffer overflow condition, causing the device to crash or behave unpredictably. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack surfaces within the firmware may be susceptible to exploitation, including but not limited to network protocol handlers, configuration interfaces, or management services. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability and reliability of the wireless management system, potentially disrupting network operations and creating opportunities for further compromise. The device's failure to properly validate input data during network processing creates a persistent risk that can be leveraged by attackers to maintain persistent access or escalate privileges within the affected network segment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10901 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from the vendor, as this represents a known vulnerability that has likely been addressed through subsequent releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious network activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary services and ports on affected devices to reduce the attack surface, and implement regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other network components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499 as a network denial-of-service attack, while also potentially enabling T1071 for application layer protocol usage. Security teams should establish incident response procedures specifically addressing device-level vulnerabilities that can cause widespread service disruption, and maintain detailed logs of network traffic patterns to facilitate forensic analysis should exploitation occur. Regular security audits of industrial control systems and wireless infrastructure should include comprehensive firmware version checks to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unpatched in operational environments.