CVE-2018-10623 in Delta Industrial Automation DOPSoft
Summary
by MITRE
Delta Electronics Delta Industrial Automation DOPSoft version 4.00.04 and prior performs read operations on a memory buffer where the position can be determined by a value read from a .dpa file. This may cause improper restriction of operations within the bounds of the memory buffer, allow remote code execution, alter the intended control flow, allow reading of sensitive information, or cause the application to crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10623 affects Delta Electronics Delta Industrial Automation DOPSoft version 4.00.04 and earlier releases, representing a critical memory safety issue that undermines the software's ability to properly validate input data. This flaw resides in the software's handling of .dpa files, which are used for configuration and control of industrial automation systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during memory buffer operations, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can manipulate memory access patterns. The affected software operates within industrial control environments where reliability and security are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer over-read condition where the application reads from a memory buffer using an offset value derived from parsing a .dpa file. This parsing process fails to adequately validate the boundary conditions of the buffer access, allowing an attacker to craft malicious .dpa files that can cause the application to access memory locations outside of the intended buffer boundaries. The vulnerability manifests through improper restriction of operations within memory bounds, which falls under CWE-129, specifically addressing issues related to insufficient validation of the length of input data. The memory access pattern becomes unpredictable and controllable by an attacker who can manipulate the .dpa file structure to trigger the vulnerable code path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could compromise entire industrial control systems. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can alter the intended control flow of the DOPSoft application, potentially executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the running process. This remote code execution capability poses significant risks to industrial environments where these automation tools are deployed, as it could enable attackers to manipulate control systems, access sensitive operational data, or cause system crashes that could result in production disruptions. The vulnerability also allows for information disclosure, enabling attackers to read sensitive data from memory that may include configuration details, authentication information, or proprietary process data. The potential for system crashes represents a direct threat to operational continuity in industrial settings where uptime is critical.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening of industrial automation systems. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to DOPSoft version 4.00.05 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer over-read condition. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for all .dpa files before processing, including input sanitization and size validation to prevent malformed data from triggering the vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected software to untrusted networks or users. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns or memory operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in industrial control systems, particularly regarding input validation and memory management, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting and T1068 for privilege escalation through local manipulation of system resources. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other industrial automation software components.