CVE-2017-5359 in EasyCom
Summary
by MITRE
EasyCom SQL iPlug allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via the D$EVAL parameter to the default URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5359 affects EasyCom SQL iPlug software, which is a component designed for database connectivity and data exchange within industrial and enterprise environments. This particular flaw resides in the software's handling of incoming requests through its default URI endpoint, specifically when processing the D$EVAL parameter. The issue represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in operational technology environments where system availability is critical. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper error handling within the application's request processing logic, allowing malicious actors to craft specially formatted requests that can overwhelm or crash the targeted system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the D$EVAL parameter within the default URI interface of the EasyCom SQL iPlug service. When the system processes this parameter without adequate sanitization or bounds checking, it creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malformed data that triggers unexpected behavior in the underlying database communication layer. This flaw typically manifests as resource exhaustion, stack overflow conditions, or memory corruption that leads to service termination or complete system unresponsiveness. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes improper input validation as a fundamental weakness in software design that can lead to various security issues including denial of service conditions. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks targeting application availability.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5359 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire industrial control systems where EasyCom SQL iPlug components are deployed. In manufacturing environments, process control systems, supervisory control and data acquisition systems, and other critical infrastructure applications may rely on this software for database connectivity, making the potential for cascading failures significant. Organizations using this software in production environments face risks of unplanned downtime, production delays, and potential safety hazards if the vulnerability leads to system unavailability during critical operations. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from anywhere on the network, without requiring physical access or network proximity to the affected systems. The vulnerability also represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks, as initial denial of service conditions can be used to mask other malicious activities or create opportunities for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5359 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as these typically address the core input validation issues that enable the exploit. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit exposure by restricting access to the vulnerable URI endpoints to trusted sources only, while implementing rate limiting and request validation mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary services and features, particularly when the vulnerable D$EVAL parameter is not required for legitimate operations. Security monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the industrial control system architecture. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that patch implementations do not introduce compatibility issues with existing industrial processes, and incident response procedures should be updated to address potential exploitation scenarios.