CVE-2017-16717 in LeviStudio HMI
Summary
by MITRE
A Heap-based Buffer Overflow issue was discovered in WECON LeviStudio HMI. The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability has been identified, which may allow remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2019
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in WECON LeviStudio HMI represents a critical security flaw that exposes industrial automation systems to remote exploitation. This vulnerability specifically affects the HMI (Human Machine Interface) software used in industrial control systems, where proper input validation mechanisms have failed to prevent excessive data from being written to heap-allocated memory regions. The flaw exists within the software's memory management functions that handle data processing and user input handling, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate heap memory structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during memory allocation and data copying operations within the LeviStudio HMI application. When processing certain data inputs, the software fails to validate the size of incoming data against allocated buffer boundaries, allowing attackers to write beyond the intended memory limits. This heap corruption can be exploited through carefully crafted malicious inputs sent over network connections, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the heap memory level, making exploitation more sophisticated and harder to detect compared to stack-based buffer overflows.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial environments that rely on WECON LeviStudio HMI for process control and monitoring. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can potentially gain full control of the HMI system without physical access, allowing them to manipulate industrial processes, access sensitive operational data, or disrupt critical infrastructure operations. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to potentially affect downstream industrial control systems, including PLCs, SCADA systems, and other connected devices that depend on the HMI for operational oversight. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique for execution through command and scripting interpreters, and could facilitate lateral movement within industrial networks.
The exploitation of this heap-based buffer overflow requires attackers to send specifically crafted data packets to the vulnerable HMI system, leveraging the memory corruption to inject and execute malicious code within the application's memory space. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) indicates that proper memory management practices were not implemented, particularly in handling dynamic memory allocation and deallocation. Organizations using this software face potential risks including unauthorized access to industrial processes, data breaches involving operational technology, and possible physical security implications if the compromise affects safety-critical systems. Security professionals should consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for unusual data patterns, and maintaining updated security patches to protect against this type of exploitation vector that targets industrial control system software.