CVE-2018-10636 in CNCSoft
Summary
by MITRE
CNCSoft Version 1.00.83 and prior with ScreenEditor Version 1.00.54 has multiple stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities that could cause the software to crash due to lacking user input validation before copying data from project files onto the stack. Which may allow an attacker to gain remote code execution with administrator privileges if exploited.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10636 affects CNCSoft Version 1.00.83 and earlier versions along with ScreenEditor Version 1.00.54, representing a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software's data processing pipeline. This vulnerability manifests as multiple stack-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when the application fails to properly validate user-supplied data before copying it from project files into stack memory locations. The fundamental technical flaw resides in the software's failure to implement proper bounds checking during data transfer operations, creating opportunities for maliciously crafted input to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. Such buffer overflow conditions are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical control data structures within the program's execution context, ultimately leading to arbitrary code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to encompass full system compromise with administrative privileges. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow allows attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the target system, potentially enabling complete system takeover. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an attacker to craft specially malformed project files that trigger the overflow condition during normal software operation, making it particularly insidious as it can be delivered through legitimate software interaction channels. The lack of input validation creates a persistent risk vector that remains active as long as vulnerable versions are deployed, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to systems running affected software.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overflow into adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as the successful exploitation would enable an attacker to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning for industrial control systems and manufacturing environments where CNC software is commonly deployed, as these systems often operate with high-privilege accounts and may lack traditional security controls found in general-purpose computing environments. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize immediate remediation through official software updates or patches provided by the vendor, while implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential exploitation vectors. Additionally, defensive measures should include monitoring for unusual file access patterns and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution of vulnerable software components.