CVE-2018-20410 in KingSCADA
Summary
by MITRE
WellinTech KingSCADA before 3.7.0.0.1 contains a stack-based buffer overflow. The vulnerability is triggered when sending a specially crafted packet to the AlarmServer (AEserver.exe) service listening on TCP port 12401.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20410 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within WellinTech KingSCADA software versions prior to 3.7.0.0.1. This vulnerability specifically affects the AlarmServer component known as AEserver.exe which operates as a network service listening on TCP port 12401. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the service's packet processing routines, creating a condition where maliciously crafted network packets can exceed the allocated buffer space on the stack. Such buffer overflow conditions are particularly dangerous in industrial control systems environments where operational technology infrastructure operates continuously and often without regular security updates. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices that directly impacts the integrity of memory management within applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker sends a specially crafted packet to the vulnerable AlarmServer service running on port 12401. The malformed packet contains data that exceeds the predetermined buffer size allocated for processing incoming network requests. When the service attempts to copy this oversized data into the fixed-size buffer, it overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical program data or execution pointers. This overflow can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized control over the affected system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited from any network location. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain remote access to systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of industrial control systems that rely on KingSCADA for monitoring and control operations. Organizations using affected versions of KingSCADA face potential risks including system compromise, data manipulation, unauthorized access to critical infrastructure, and possible disruption of industrial processes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where SCADA systems control physical processes, as successful exploitation could lead to operational disruptions or safety hazards. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability especially attractive to threat actors targeting industrial control systems, as it eliminates the need for credential compromise. Organizations implementing security controls must consider the potential for lateral movement within network environments and the broader implications for operational technology security. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date industrial control system software and implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to version 3.7.0.0.1 or later, network monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns on port 12401, and implementation of firewall rules to restrict access to this service to only authorized systems.