CVE-2019-7264 in Linear eMerge E3
Summary
by MITRE
Linear eMerge E3-Series devices allow a Stack-based Buffer Overflow on the ARM platform.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2023
The Linear eMerge E3-Series represents a line of industrial control devices commonly deployed in critical infrastructure environments for monitoring and managing building automation systems. These devices operate as networked appliances that handle sensitive operational data and control functions within facilities ranging from corporate offices to government installations. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7264 specifically targets the ARM-based processing architecture employed by these devices, creating a stack-based buffer overflow condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to compromise system integrity and potentially gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure operations.
This stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the device's software implementation, particularly in how it processes incoming network data or user inputs. The flaw occurs when the device fails to properly bounds-check data placed onto the stack memory during execution, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious data. The ARM platform architecture of the E3-Series devices makes this particular vulnerability exploitable through carefully crafted network packets or commands that can trigger the overflow condition when processed by the vulnerable software components. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a critical security weakness that can lead to arbitrary code execution and complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise to potentially disrupt critical infrastructure operations and create cascading failures within building automation systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this buffer overflow could gain elevated privileges on the device, allowing them to modify system configurations, access sensitive operational data, or even disrupt the normal functioning of connected building systems such as HVAC controls, lighting systems, or security mechanisms. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the devices, making the attack surface significantly broader and more dangerous for organizations relying on these systems for operational continuity. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Linear to address the specific buffer overflow condition, network segmentation to isolate these devices from general network traffic, and monitoring for suspicious network activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly those operating in industrial environments where security failures can have significant operational and safety implications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other industrial control systems, as the ARM-based architecture and similar software implementations may be susceptible to comparable vulnerabilities. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for patterns consistent with exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability class.