CVE-2017-16739 in LEVI Studio HMI Editor
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in WECON Technology LEVI Studio HMI Editor v1.8.29 and prior. Specially-crafted malicious files may be able to cause stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities, which may allow remote code execution.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16739 affects WECON Technology LEVI Studio HMI Editor version 1.8.29 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution through stack-based buffer overflow conditions. This industrial automation software serves as a human-machine interface editor used extensively in manufacturing and industrial control systems, making the potential impact particularly severe given the critical infrastructure environments where such systems operate. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation when processing specially crafted malicious files, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities that could lead to arbitrary code execution on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a stack-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when the LEVI Studio HMI Editor processes malformed input files without proper bounds checking. According to CWE-121, this represents a classic stack buffer overflow vulnerability where insufficient boundary checks allow attackers to write beyond allocated memory space, potentially overwriting critical stack variables including return addresses and function pointers. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to parse maliciously constructed files that exceed expected buffer sizes, causing the stack to overflow and potentially allowing an attacker to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the running application.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16739 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass significant risks for industrial control systems and critical infrastructure environments. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to industrial processes, potentially leading to production disruptions, safety hazards, or even physical damage to equipment. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers could potentially compromise systems from external networks without requiring physical access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where industrial systems are connected to corporate networks or the internet. This threat aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services, and represents a significant concern for operational technology environments that often lack the robust security controls found in traditional enterprise networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from WECON Technology, as the vendor would have released a fixed version addressing the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems from general corporate networks, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Additional protective measures include deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous file processing activities and implementing strict file access controls to prevent unauthorized file uploads. Security teams should also consider conducting vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems running older versions of LEVI Studio HMI Editor and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to industrial control system compromises. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in industrial software development, as outlined in industry standards such as IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82 for industrial cybersecurity frameworks.