CVE-2017-9636 in E-Designer
Summary
by MITRE
Mitsubishi E-Designer, Version 7.52 Build 344 contains five code sections which may be exploited to overwrite the heap. This can result in arbitrary code execution, compromised data integrity, denial of service, and system crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9636 affects Mitsubishi E-Designer version 7.52 Build 344, a software application used for designing and configuring industrial automation systems. This particular flaw manifests through five distinct code sections that exhibit heap memory corruption behavior, representing a critical security weakness in the application's memory management mechanisms. The vulnerability resides within the software's handling of user-provided input data during the processing of design files, creating an environment where malicious actors can manipulate memory structures to achieve unauthorized system control. The heap overflow conditions occur when the application processes malformed or specially crafted input data that exceeds expected buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited for malicious purposes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of heap memory structures through buffer overflow conditions that allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the heap-based nature of this specific flaw makes it particularly dangerous as it can lead to more sophisticated attack vectors. When an attacker successfully triggers this vulnerability, they can potentially overwrite critical program variables, function pointers, or return addresses, enabling arbitrary code execution within the context of the application's privileges. The heap corruption can also result in data integrity compromise, where critical design parameters or system configurations become corrupted, and denial of service conditions where the application crashes or becomes unresponsive.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9636 extends beyond simple system compromise to encompass broader industrial control system security concerns. In industrial environments where Mitsubishi E-Designer is deployed for critical infrastructure design, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to system configuration data, potentially leading to operational disruptions or safety hazards. The vulnerability affects the software's ability to process legitimate design files, creating a risk of system instability that could impact production processes. The arbitrary code execution capability provides attackers with the ability to install backdoors, modify system behavior, or escalate privileges within the industrial control environment. Additionally, the heap corruption can cause system crashes that may result in data loss or require system restarts, potentially disrupting critical manufacturing or operational processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Mitsubishi to address the heap overflow conditions in the affected code sections. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running E-Designer, particularly those connected to operational technology networks where the software is used for critical system design. Input validation controls should be strengthened to prevent malformed data from reaching the vulnerable code sections, and application whitelisting can help prevent unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1070.004 for indicator removal on host, as exploitation could enable persistent access and data manipulation. Regular security assessments of industrial control systems should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities, and system monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.