CVE-2023-0426 in AC 700F
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2023
ABB is aware of vulnerabilities in the product versions listed below. An update is available that resolves the reported vulnerabilities in the product versions under maintenance. An attacker who successfully exploited one or more of these vulnerabilities could cause the product to stop or make the product inaccessible.
Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in ABB Freelance controllers AC 700F (conroller modules), ABB Freelance controllers AC 900F (controller modules).This issue affects:
Freelance controllers AC 700F:
from 9.0;0 through V9.2 SP2, through Freelance 2013, through Freelance 2013SP1, through Freelance 2016, through Freelance 2016SP1, through Freelance 2019 , through Freelance 2019 SP1, through Freelance 2019 SP1 FP1;
Freelance controllers AC 900F:
through Freelance 2013, through Freelance 2013SP1, through Freelance 2016, through Freelance 2016SP1, through Freelance 2019, through Freelance 2019 SP1, through Freelance 2019 SP1 FP1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0426 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting ABB Freelance controllers AC 700F and AC 900F series. This security weakness resides within the firmware implementations of these industrial control systems, which are widely deployed in manufacturing and process automation environments. The buffer overflow vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly check the length of data being processed by the controller modules. When maliciously crafted input data exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack, it can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The affected product versions span multiple release cycles from Freelance 2013 through the 2019 SP1 FP1 releases, indicating a long-standing issue that has persisted across several maintenance periods. This vulnerability directly impacts the operational integrity of industrial control systems and represents a significant concern for critical infrastructure environments where system availability and reliability are paramount.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability follows established patterns documented in CWE-121, which classifies stack-based buffer overflows as a fundamental memory safety issue. Attackers can leverage this flaw by sending specially crafted data packets or commands to the affected controllers, triggering the overflow condition during normal processing operations. The impact of successful exploitation manifests as denial of service conditions where the controller modules become unresponsive or crash entirely, rendering the industrial processes controlled by these systems unavailable. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks targeting industrial control systems. The stack-based nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can potentially overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical stack variables, though the specific exploitation vector in this case appears to be limited to causing system instability rather than achieving full remote code execution. The vulnerability affects both AC 700F and AC 900F controller modules, suggesting a common codebase or implementation flaw shared across these product lines.
The operational implications of CVE-2023-0426 extend beyond simple system crashes to encompass broader industrial control system reliability concerns. In manufacturing environments where these controllers manage critical processes, a denial of service condition can result in production halts, quality control failures, and potential safety hazards. The vulnerability's presence across multiple release versions indicates that it may have been present in production systems for extended periods, potentially creating long-term exposure windows for attackers. Organizations utilizing these controllers face significant risk during the exploitation window, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to disrupt operations without requiring advanced technical capabilities. The affected systems include various versions of the Freelance software platform, suggesting that the issue impacts both legacy and relatively recent deployments. This widespread exposure affects the industrial control system security posture across multiple operational environments, including those where cybersecurity controls may be less mature or where system updates are delayed due to operational constraints.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, with the most effective approach being the application of available firmware updates provided by ABB. The vendor has acknowledged the issue and released patches specifically designed to resolve the buffer overflow condition in affected versions. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected controllers to the latest maintenance releases, ensuring that the update process includes proper testing in non-production environments before deployment. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened around these industrial control systems, limiting direct network access to authorized personnel only. Implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual communication patterns or malformed data packets can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify other potential weaknesses in the industrial control system architecture. The mitigation strategy should also include establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored for industrial control system vulnerabilities, ensuring that operators can quickly respond to any signs of exploitation attempts. Organizations should maintain detailed inventories of all affected controllers and implement a systematic approach to tracking update deployment across their industrial control system infrastructure.