CVE-2023-34272 in FvDesigner
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2024
Fatek Automation FvDesigner FPJ File Parsing Uninitialized Pointer Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Fatek Automation FvDesigner. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of FPJ files. The issue results from the lack of proper initialization of a pointer prior to accessing it. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-18182.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2025
The CVE-2023-34272 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Fatek Automation FvDesigner software, specifically within its FPJ file parsing functionality. This vulnerability falls under the category of uninitialized pointer access, a common class of software defects that can lead to severe security implications. The flaw exists in the software's handling of FPJ (Fatek Project) files, which are used for configuring and managing automation projects within the Fatek ecosystem. The vulnerability was identified and tracked as ZDI-CAN-18182 before being assigned the CVE identifier, indicating it was recognized by the Zero Day Initiative security research team. The affected software represents industrial automation tools that are widely deployed in manufacturing and control systems environments where security is paramount.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper pointer initialization during the FPJ file parsing process. When the FvDesigner application processes a maliciously crafted FPJ file, it fails to properly initialize a pointer variable before attempting to access memory through that pointer. This uninitialized pointer access creates a scenario where the application may attempt to read from or write to arbitrary memory locations, depending on whatever values were previously stored in that memory area. According to CWE-457, this maps directly to the "Use of Uninitialized Variable" vulnerability class, which is classified as a serious weakness that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution. The uninitialized pointer behavior creates a memory access pattern that can be manipulated by attackers to redirect execution flow or inject malicious code into the application's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution within the context of the FvDesigner application process. This means that an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially compromise the entire automation system, especially in industrial environments where FvDesigner is used to manage critical control systems. The requirement for user interaction through visiting a malicious page or opening a malicious file indicates that this vulnerability is primarily exploited through social engineering or phishing campaigns targeting users who regularly work with automation projects. The attack vector suggests that the vulnerability could be delivered through web-based attacks or file-sharing mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently exchange project files or access web-based resources. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers "Exploitation for Client Execution" and demonstrates how attackers can leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code.
The implications of this vulnerability in industrial control systems are particularly concerning, as it could potentially lead to operational technology (OT) security breaches that affect manufacturing processes, production line controls, or safety systems. Organizations using Fatek Automation products in critical infrastructure environments face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it could enable attackers to manipulate industrial processes or gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational data. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the systems, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for environments with limited network segmentation or insufficient security controls. Mitigation efforts should focus on immediate software updates from Fatek, network monitoring for suspicious file downloads, and user education to prevent interaction with potentially malicious FPJ files. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.