CVE-2019-6822 in ZelioSoft2
Summary
by MITRE
A Use After Free: CWE-416 vulnerability exists in Zelio Soft 2, V5.2 and earlier, which could cause remote code execution when opening a specially crafted Zelio Soft 2 project file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6822 represents a critical use after free flaw in Zelio Soft 2 software version 5.2 and earlier, classified under CWE-416 which specifically addresses improper deallocation of memory resources. This vulnerability manifests when the software processes specially crafted project files that trigger memory management errors during the parsing of project data structures. The flaw occurs when the application allocates memory for project elements and subsequently frees it, but continues to reference the freed memory locations during subsequent operations. This memory corruption scenario creates a condition where attackers can manipulate the application's memory state to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user.
The remote code execution capability stems from the fact that Zelio Soft 2 project files can be delivered through various means including email attachments, shared network drives, or malicious websites. When a user opens a crafted project file, the application's memory management routines encounter the malformed data structure that triggers the use after free condition. The attacker can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious code into the application's memory space, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries and potentially gaining full control over the affected system. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in industrial environments where Zelio Soft 2 is commonly used for programming and configuring automation devices, as it could enable attackers to compromise entire industrial control systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity breaches. Attackers could use this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify configuration settings, or disrupt industrial processes that rely on Zelio Soft 2 for device programming. The vulnerability affects the software's project file handling mechanism, which is fundamental to its operation, making it difficult to isolate and remediate without complete software updates. Organizations using Zelio Soft 2 in production environments face significant risk of operational disruption, as the vulnerability could be exploited without user interaction beyond opening a malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users access shared project files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-6822 require immediate action to upgrade to Zelio Soft 2 version 5.3 or later, which includes patches addressing the memory management issues. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures, particularly for project files received from external sources, and consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through application vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of how memory safety issues can be exploited in industrial control environments. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their industrial control systems to identify other potential vulnerabilities in similar software components and establish secure file handling procedures to prevent exploitation of such use after free conditions in other applications.