CVE-2018-19020 in CX-Supervisor
Summary
by MITRE
When CX-Supervisor (Versions 3.42 and prior) processes project files and tampers with the value of an offset, an attacker can force the application to read a value outside of an array.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19020 represents a critical buffer overread condition affecting CX-Supervisor versions 3.42 and earlier. This flaw manifests during the processing of project files when the application manipulates offset values, creating a scenario where memory access extends beyond the bounds of allocated arrays. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the software's file processing routines, particularly in how it handles offset modifications during project file parsing. Such buffer overread conditions typically arise when developers fail to properly validate array indices or offset parameters before accessing memory locations, creating opportunities for unauthorized data access or system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious project file containing manipulated offset values that, when processed by the vulnerable CX-Supervisor application, cause the software to read memory locations beyond the intended array boundaries. This can result in reading sensitive data from adjacent memory regions, potentially exposing confidential information such as passwords, encryption keys, or other system credentials. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which is classified as a weakness that can lead to buffer overflows and related memory corruption issues. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to industrial control systems and automation environments where CX-Supervisor is deployed, as it could enable attackers to extract sensitive operational data or potentially disrupt system operations through memory corruption.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can facilitate more sophisticated attack vectors within the context of industrial environments. Attackers leveraging this flaw may be able to perform information disclosure attacks that could reveal system configurations, operational parameters, or other sensitive data that could be used to plan further attacks. The vulnerability's presence in CX-Supervisor, which is commonly used in industrial automation and control systems, creates a particularly concerning risk profile as it could potentially compromise the integrity of critical infrastructure operations. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1005 Data from Local System and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to extract data and potentially manipulate system behavior through compromised software components. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be achieved through the simple act of submitting a malicious project file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be properly authenticated or where file upload capabilities are exposed to untrusted parties. Organizations using affected versions of CX-Supervisor should implement immediate mitigations including software updates to versions that address the buffer overread condition, network segmentation to limit access to affected systems, and monitoring for suspicious file upload activities. Additionally, input validation controls should be strengthened to prevent malformed offset values from being processed, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in industrial control system software components.