CVE-2019-7231 in IDAL
Summary
by MITRE
The ABB IDAL FTP server is vulnerable to a buffer overflow when a long string is sent by an authenticated attacker. This overflow is handled, but terminates the process. An authenticated attacker can send a FTP command string of 472 bytes or more to overflow a buffer, causing an exception that terminates the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2023
The ABB IDAL FTP server vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw that compromises system availability and stability. This vulnerability exists within the server's handling of FTP command strings, specifically when processing authenticated user input. The flaw manifests when an attacker sends a command string exceeding 472 bytes in length, triggering a predictable buffer overflow condition that leads to process termination. The vulnerability affects the core FTP server functionality and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in input validation and memory management within the ABB IDAL software implementation.
This buffer overflow vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The specific nature of the vulnerability means that authenticated access is required to exploit it, but this authentication requirement does not mitigate the severity of the impact. The attack vector involves sending specially crafted FTP commands that exceed the allocated buffer size, causing the server to crash and terminate its operation. The termination of the FTP server process creates a denial of service condition that can disrupt legitimate user access and business operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential system stability concerns and operational reliability issues. When the FTP server terminates due to the buffer overflow, it creates an availability problem that can affect industrial control systems where consistent server operation is critical. The vulnerability affects the overall security posture by providing an avenue for attackers to cause service interruptions, which may be part of broader attack strategies targeting industrial systems. Organizations relying on ABB IDAL FTP servers for critical operations face significant risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where continuous availability is essential.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and implementation of access controls. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security updates that address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and memory management. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit who can authenticate to the FTP server, reducing the attack surface. Monitoring for suspicious FTP command patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other industrial control system components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in industrial environments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls beyond simple patching.