CVE-2023-5944 in DOPSoft
Summary
by MITRE • 12/05/2023
Delta Electronics DOPSoft is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, which may allow for arbitrary code execution if an attacker can lead a legitimate user to execute a specially crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5944 affects Delta Electronics DOPSoft, a software application used for configuring and managing industrial automation systems. This critical security flaw manifests as a stack-based buffer overflow that can potentially enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to industrial control systems and operational technology environments where Delta Electronics equipment is deployed. The software operates within critical infrastructure sectors including manufacturing, energy, and process control systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for cybersecurity professionals responsible for protecting operational technology environments.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow vulnerability occurs when the DOPSoft application processes specially crafted input data that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack. This condition arises from inadequate bounds checking within the application's input validation mechanisms, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The flaw specifically impacts how the software handles file processing operations, particularly when parsing user-supplied data structures. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is characterized by insufficient validation of input data length before copying it into fixed-length stack buffers. The vulnerability is further categorized under ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, as it requires user interaction to deliver the malicious payload.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can compromise the integrity and availability of industrial automation systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to critical control systems, potentially leading to production disruptions, safety hazards, or data compromise. The requirement for user interaction to trigger the exploit means that social engineering or phishing attacks may be necessary to deliver the malicious file, but once executed, the consequences could be severe in operational technology environments. Industrial systems often operate with limited security controls and may not have robust endpoint protection in place, making these environments particularly attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access to critical infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems where DOPSoft is installed and used for configuration management, potentially allowing attackers to modify system parameters, access sensitive operational data, or disrupt production processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-5944 should focus on immediate software updates from Delta Electronics, as the vendor likely released patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies and restrict user permissions for executing software that handles industrial configuration data. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of industrial systems to external threats. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file processing activities and potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of operational technology environments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other industrial software applications. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted software. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in industrial software development and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of critical infrastructure applications. Organizations should also maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.