CVE-2019-6530 in FPWIN Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Panasonic FPWIN Pro version 7.3.0.0 and prior allows attacker-created project files to be loaded by an authenticated user causing heap-based buffer overflows, which may lead to remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6530 affects Panasonic FPWIN Pro software version 7.3.0.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through improper input validation mechanisms. This flaw resides in the project file parsing functionality where the application fails to adequately validate the size and structure of externally provided project files. When an authenticated user loads a specially crafted malicious project file, the application's handling of project data triggers heap-based buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim user's session. The vulnerability represents a significant threat to industrial control systems and automation environments where Panasonic FPWIN Pro is deployed, as it bridges the gap between user interaction and code execution through legitimate software functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the project file loader component of FPWIN Pro. When processing project files, the software allocates memory buffers to accommodate project data structures without sufficient validation of incoming data sizes or content integrity. Attackers can craft project files containing oversized data sequences or malformed structures that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, causing memory corruption that can be manipulated to overwrite critical program execution pointers or inject malicious code. This heap-based buffer overflow condition falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow and can be classified as a memory safety vulnerability within the ATT&CK framework under the technique of code injection. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only a single authenticated user session to exploit, eliminating the need for additional privilege escalation or complex attack chains.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-6530 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can compromise entire industrial control systems where FPWIN Pro is used for programming and configuring programmable logic controllers. The vulnerability affects environments ranging from manufacturing automation to critical infrastructure control systems where these programming tools are integral to operational technology workflows. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized modification of control logic, disruption of industrial processes, or complete system compromise that may lead to physical damage or safety hazards. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers need only gain access to legitimate user credentials to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly concerning for organizations with insufficient credential management or privileged access controls. Organizations deploying FPWIN Pro in operational technology environments face significant risk exposure as this vulnerability can be leveraged to gain persistent access to industrial control systems through the programming interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-6530 should prioritize immediate software updates from Panasonic to address the identified buffer overflow conditions. Organizations must implement strict project file validation procedures and establish secure file handling practices that include verifying file integrity, implementing proper access controls, and restricting user privileges to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized project file loading activities and anomalous user behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for operators and engineers using FPWIN Pro should emphasize the importance of only loading project files from trusted sources and maintaining proper credential hygiene. The vulnerability highlights the need for robust input validation in industrial software applications and underscores the importance of applying security patches promptly to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in operational technology environments. Regular security assessments of industrial control system software components should include vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar memory safety issues that may exist in other legacy industrial applications.