CVE-2024-34026 in OpenPLC
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2024
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the OpenPLC Runtime EtherNet/IP parser functionality of OpenPLC _v3 b4702061dc14d1024856f71b4543298d77007b88. A specially crafted EtherNet/IP request can lead to remote code execution. An attacker can send a series of EtherNet/IP requests to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-34026 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the OpenPLC Runtime EtherNet/IP parser component of the OpenPLC v3 framework. This issue manifests in the handling of EtherNet/IP requests where the system fails to properly validate input lengths before copying data to fixed-size stack buffers. The affected version OpenPLC _v3 b4702061dc14d1024856f71b4543298d77007b88 contains insufficient bounds checking mechanisms that allow maliciously crafted EtherNet/IP packets to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management practices that violate fundamental security principles for buffer handling operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully constructed EtherNet/IP requests that exceed the allocated buffer size during parsing operations. When the parser processes these malformed requests, it copies data directly from the network input into a stack-allocated buffer without adequate length verification. This allows an attacker to overflow the buffer and overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data structures. The overflow can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running OpenPLC process, which typically operates with elevated system permissions. This represents a direct violation of CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow principles and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to industrial control systems that rely on OpenPLC for automation and process control. Industrial environments using this software may face significant risks including process disruption, data manipulation, and potential safety system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core communication functionality of OpenPLC, making it particularly dangerous for operational technology environments where EtherNet/IP is commonly used for device communication and protocol handling. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized control over industrial processes, potentially leading to production downtime, safety hazards, or data breaches. Organizations implementing OpenPLC in critical infrastructure contexts must consider this vulnerability as a high-priority risk requiring immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the OpenPLC runtime to address the buffer overflow conditions and implement network segmentation to limit exposure. Additional protective measures include deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous EtherNet/IP traffic patterns, implementing input validation at network boundaries, and establishing secure configuration practices for OpenPLC deployments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in industrial control systems, particularly those handling network protocols that are integral to operational technology infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically tuned to detect EtherNet/IP protocol anomalies and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts.