CVE-2024-45970 in LibIEC61850
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2024
Multiple Buffer overflows in the MMS Client in MZ Automation LibIEC61850 before commit ac925fae8e281ac6defcd630e9dd756264e9c5bc allow a malicious server to cause a stack-based buffer overflow via the MMS FileDirResponse message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-45970 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the MMS Client component of MZ Automation LibIEC61850 software. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to commit ac925fae8e281ac6defcd630e9dd756264e9c5bc, indicating a regression or incomplete fix in the software development lifecycle. The flaw manifests when the client processes MMS FileDirResponse messages from potentially malicious servers, creating an exploitable condition that could lead to arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the MMS Client's message processing logic. When handling FileDirResponse messages, the software fails to properly bounds-check data received from remote servers, allowing attackers to craft specially formatted responses that exceed allocated buffer sizes. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs in the stack memory region, where the excessive data overwrites adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite adjacent memory.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to industrial control systems and automation environments that rely on IEC 61850 communication standards. The MMS (Manufacturing Message Specification) protocol forms the foundation of many power grid automation systems, substation automation systems, and industrial control networks where the MZ Automation LibIEC61850 library is commonly deployed. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure systems, disrupt operations, or escalate privileges within the affected environment. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries need only send malicious FileDirResponse messages to vulnerable systems, making the exploit accessible from external network positions.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends across various industrial environments including smart grids, power distribution systems, and manufacturing automation platforms where IEC 61850 standards are implemented. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, with potential for lateral movement within affected networks. The exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations using this library in production environments face immediate risk of operational disruption and security breaches that could affect critical infrastructure availability and integrity.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the commit referenced in the CVE, which presumably contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow conditions. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted network segments. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous MMS traffic patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially affected components within industrial control system environments. The fix should include comprehensive input validation, proper bounds checking, and memory management practices to prevent similar buffer overflow conditions from occurring in other parts of the software library.