CVE-2017-9962 in ClearSCADA
Summary
by MITRE
Schneider Electric's ClearSCADA versions released prior to August 2017 are susceptible to a memory allocation vulnerability, whereby malformed requests can be sent to ClearSCADA client applications to cause unexpected behavior. Client applications affected include ViewX and the Server Icon.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9962 represents a critical memory allocation flaw within Schneider Electric's ClearSCADA software ecosystem, specifically impacting versions released before August 2017. This issue manifests through malformed request handling that can trigger unpredictable system behavior in client applications, creating significant operational risks for industrial control systems. The affected ClearSCADA client applications include ViewX and the Server Icon components, which are fundamental elements in the supervision and control of industrial processes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle malformed or crafted requests, allowing attackers to exploit memory management functions through carefully constructed malicious inputs.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes improper restriction of operations within the buffer boundary, specifically manifesting as heap-based buffer overflow conditions. When ClearSCADA client applications receive malformed requests, the memory allocation routines fail to validate the input parameters properly, leading to potential memory corruption and system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues that are particularly dangerous in industrial control environments where system reliability is paramount. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that these client applications are commonly used in critical infrastructure sectors including energy, water, and manufacturing, where unexpected system behavior can lead to operational disruptions or safety hazards.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9962 extends beyond simple system instability, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks within industrial control system environments. The vulnerability could potentially be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, particularly when combined with other exploitation techniques or when the vulnerable applications are running with elevated privileges. According to ATT&CK framework category T1203, this vulnerability could enable adversaries to perform process injection or code execution through the memory corruption mechanisms. The affected client applications serve as critical interface points for operators and system administrators, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access or system compromise. Organizations using ClearSCADA in industrial environments face increased risk of operational disruptions, data integrity issues, and potential safety hazards when these vulnerable applications are exposed to untrusted network traffic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9962 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions released after August 2017, which contain the necessary patches to address the memory allocation flaws. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable ClearSCADA client applications to untrusted networks or users. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software within industrial control system environments. The implementation of intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for malformed requests targeting ClearSCADA applications can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security awareness training for industrial control system operators should include guidance on recognizing and reporting unusual system behavior that might indicate exploitation of memory allocation vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of only trusted ClearSCADA client applications, reducing the attack surface for this and similar vulnerabilities.