CVE-2018-14827 in RSLinx Classic
Summary
by MITRE
Rockwell Automation RSLinx Classic Versions 4.00.01 and prior. A remote, unauthenticated threat actor may intentionally send specially crafted Ethernet/IP packets to Port 44818, causing the software application to stop responding and crash. The user must restart the software to regain functionality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2020
Rockwell Automation RSLinx Classic versions 4.00.01 and earlier contain a critical vulnerability that enables remote code execution through malformed Ethernet/IP packets. This vulnerability resides in the software's handling of incoming network traffic on port 44818, which is the standard port used for Ethernet/IP communication in industrial automation environments. The flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition where the application fails to properly validate incoming packet structures, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that trigger application termination. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the broader weakness of insufficient input validation in network protocols. The attack vector requires no authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for industrial control systems where network security may be less stringent than in traditional enterprise environments. The vulnerability impacts the operational continuity of industrial processes by causing unexpected application crashes that require manual intervention through system restarts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in how RSLinx Classic processes network input without adequate bounds checking or packet sanitization mechanisms. When a threat actor sends specifically crafted Ethernet/IP packets to port 44818, the application's network handler fails to properly validate packet headers and data structures, leading to memory corruption that ultimately causes the application to crash. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of RSLinx Classic, which serves as a communication gateway between industrial devices and SCADA systems, making it a critical component in industrial control networks. The crash results in immediate disruption of communication between field devices and supervisory systems, potentially leading to production downtime and operational inefficiencies.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-14827 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass broader industrial control system security concerns. Organizations relying on RSLinx Classic for communication between programmable logic controllers and human machine interfaces face potential production disruptions that could result in significant financial losses. The vulnerability's unauthenticated nature means that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter, potentially targeting industrial facilities through internet-connected devices or misconfigured firewalls. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where industrial networks lack proper segmentation and monitoring, creating opportunities for attackers to escalate their access and potentially compromise additional systems within the industrial control network. The requirement for manual software restarts creates additional operational overhead and increases the risk of extended downtime during critical production periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14827 should prioritize immediate patching of affected RSLinx Classic installations through Rockwell Automation's official security updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems from general enterprise networks, reducing attack surface exposure. Firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to port 44818 to only trusted sources, and network monitoring should be deployed to detect anomalous packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their industrial control systems and implement proper access controls for administrative functions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date industrial control system software and following secure configuration practices as recommended in NIST SP 800-82 guidelines for industrial control systems security. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically tuned to detect Ethernet/IP protocol anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities.