CVE-2018-17897 in LAquis SCADA
Summary
by MITRE
LAquis SCADA Versions 4.1.0.3870 and prior has several integer overflow to buffer overflow vulnerabilities, which may allow remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17897 affects LAquis SCADA software versions 4.1.0.3870 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk that could enable remote code execution through integer overflow conditions leading to buffer overflows. This industrial control system software is widely deployed in critical infrastructure environments including power generation, water treatment, and manufacturing facilities where operational technology security is paramount. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the software's handling of integer values that can cause arithmetic overflow conditions when processing specific data inputs.
The technical flaw manifests when the application processes user-supplied data that is intended to define buffer sizes or array dimensions. When integer overflow occurs, the system calculates an incorrect buffer size that exceeds the allocated memory boundaries, resulting in a buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability specifically impacts the software's network communication protocols and data processing functions where integer values control memory allocation for incoming data packets. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious inputs that trigger the overflow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for industrial environments where LAquis SCADA systems control critical processes and infrastructure. Remote code execution capabilities provide attackers with the ability to gain full system control without requiring physical access or local credentials, making it particularly dangerous for operational technology environments. The vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate industrial processes, disrupt operations, or potentially cause physical damage to equipment and facilities. The integer overflow to buffer overflow chain represents a classic exploitation pattern that has been documented in numerous industrial control system vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions.
Security researchers have identified that this vulnerability can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring authentication, making it particularly concerning for environments where SCADA systems are directly connected to corporate networks or the internet. The exploitation process typically involves sending specially crafted network packets that cause the integer overflow condition, which then leads to the buffer overflow and subsequent code execution. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the privilege escalation and execution tactics, specifically targeting the use of valid accounts or system-level access to compromise operational technology systems.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate application of vendor patches released for this vulnerability, network segmentation to isolate SCADA environments from general corporate networks, and implementation of network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their industrial control systems to identify similar integer overflow conditions in other software components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in operational technology environments and the need for regular security updates to address known vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure software. Additionally, implementing network access controls and intrusion detection systems specifically designed for industrial environments can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting these types of memory corruption vulnerabilities.