CVE-2017-12707 in SCADA MicroBrowser
Summary
by MITRE
A Stack-based Buffer Overflow issue was discovered in SpiderControl SCADA MicroBrowser Versions 1.6.30.144 and prior. Opening a maliciously crafted html file may cause a stack overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12707 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within SpiderControl SCADA MicroBrowser versions 1.6.30.144 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the web browser component specifically designed for SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, which are critical infrastructure applications used in industrial environments for monitoring and controlling physical processes. The vulnerability manifests when the affected browser processes maliciously crafted HTML files, creating a scenario where insufficient input validation allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond the allocated buffer space. In the context of SCADA systems, this vulnerability presents particularly severe risks since these environments often control critical infrastructure including power grids, water treatment facilities, and manufacturing processes. The stack overflow occurs during HTML parsing operations when the MicroBrowser fails to properly validate the size of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers, enabling attackers to inject malicious code that can overwrite return addresses and execution pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical web browser exploits due to the specialized nature of SCADA environments and their often isolated network configurations. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems, disrupt critical operations, or even cause physical damage to infrastructure components. The remote code execution capability inherent in stack buffer overflows makes this particularly dangerous in environments where SCADA systems may not be regularly updated or patched, as these systems often operate in air-gapped networks or have limited connectivity to external threat intelligence feeds. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only the delivery of a malicious HTML file, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical sophistication while targeting high-value industrial control systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12707 should prioritize immediate patching of affected SpiderControl SCADA MicroBrowser installations to version 1.6.30.145 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate SCADA environments from general corporate networks and establish strict file validation policies for all content entering these systems. Security controls should include regular vulnerability assessments targeting SCADA infrastructure, implementation of network monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous behavior in industrial control systems, and development of incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system compromises. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting solutions that prevent execution of untrusted HTML content within SCADA environments, aligning with the principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies recommended by frameworks such as NIST SP 800-82 and IEC 62443. The ATT&CK framework's T1203 technique for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and script injection should be monitored for potential indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability's exploitation.