CVE-2017-16747 in Delta Industrial Automation Screen Editor
Summary
by MITRE
An Out-of-bounds Write issue was discovered in Delta Electronics Delta Industrial Automation Screen Editor, Version 2.00.23.00 or prior. Specially crafted .dpb files may cause the system to write outside the intended buffer area.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16747 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within Delta Electronics Delta Industrial Automation Screen Editor software version 2.00.23.00 and earlier releases. This issue manifests when the application processes specially crafted .dpb files, which are used for screen editor configuration in industrial automation environments. The flaw occurs during the parsing of these files, where insufficient input validation allows malicious data to trigger memory corruption beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in industrial control systems where reliability and security are paramount for operational continuity.
This technical weakness falls under the CWE-787 category of out-of-bounds write conditions, specifically representing a buffer overflow vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk since attackers can craft malicious .dpb files that, when opened by the vulnerable software, trigger the buffer overflow. The attack vector requires no privileged access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where industrial automation systems may be exposed to untrusted inputs from external sources or compromised network segments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or hangs, as it can potentially enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to industrial control systems. In industrial automation contexts, the Screen Editor software is often used to configure human-machine interfaces and graphical user interfaces for machine control systems, making it a critical component in the industrial control infrastructure. When exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute malicious code on systems running the vulnerable software, potentially leading to disruption of industrial processes, data manipulation, or unauthorized access to critical control functions. The vulnerability's presence in industrial environments also raises concerns about potential cascading effects throughout connected systems and networks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to the latest version of Delta Industrial Automation Screen Editor where the vulnerability has been patched, applying network segmentation to limit access to systems running the vulnerable software, and implementing strict file validation procedures for .dpb files. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns or attempts to process potentially malicious files. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in industrial control system components.