CVE-2018-7817 in Soft
Summary
by MITRE
A Use After Free (CWE-416) vulnerability exists in Zelio Soft 2 v5.1 and prior versions which could cause remote code execution when opening a specially crafted Zelio Soft project file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7817 represents a critical use after free condition within Zelio Soft 2 version 5.1 and earlier releases, classified under CWE-416 which specifically addresses the use of memory after it has been freed. This flaw manifests in the software's handling of project files, where the application fails to properly validate or manage memory allocation when processing specially crafted Zelio Soft project files. The vulnerability occurs during the parsing and execution of project files that contain malformed or maliciously constructed data structures that trigger improper memory management behavior within the application's runtime environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote code execution through a carefully constructed project file that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, causes the application to free memory associated with certain data structures and subsequently attempt to access that same memory location. This memory access pattern creates a condition where an attacker can manipulate the freed memory to inject and execute arbitrary code on the victim's system. The flaw specifically affects the software's project file parser which lacks proper bounds checking and memory management validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to construct project files that trigger the use after free condition during normal application operation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to industrial control systems and automation environments where Zelio Soft 2 is deployed, as it allows remote attackers to execute code on affected systems without requiring authentication. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be delivered through simple project file sharing or web-based delivery methods, making it accessible to adversaries with minimal technical expertise. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially compromise entire industrial control networks, as these systems often operate in isolated environments where traditional security controls may be limited.
Organizations utilizing Zelio Soft 2 should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and establishing strict file validation procedures for project files received from external sources. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling unnecessary file associations and implementing application whitelisting controls to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially malicious project files. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation for persistence through the use of remote code execution capabilities, and T1059 which addresses command and scripting interpreters as a means of executing malicious code. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file processing patterns and memory access anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts.