Multiple GE Intelligent Platforms Products KeyHelp.ocx ActiveX Control Remote Code Execution Vulnerability [CVE-2012-2515]

CVE Number – CVE-2012-2515

Multiple GE Intelligent Platforms products contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on a targeted system.

The vulnerability exists because the affected software fails to perform sufficient bounds checks on user-supplied input.  An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit the vulnerability by convincing a user to view a malicious web page with the affected software.  Processing such page could trigger a buffer overflow memory corruption error that the attacker could use to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.

GE has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.

• The following GE Intelligent Platforms products are affected:

  • Proficy Historian Versions 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, and 3.1
  • Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX Versions 5.1 and 5.0
  • Proficy Pulse Version 1.0
  • Proficy Batch Execution Version 5.6
  • SI7 I/O Driver Versions 7.20 through 7.42

• The vulnerability is due to insufficient bounds checks on user-supplied input in the KeyHelp.ocxActiveX control component used by the affected software.  Processing certain data parameters could trigger a buffer overflow error, corrupting memory.

  An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit the vulnerability by convincing a user to visit a malicious web page.  When processed, the page could cause a buffer overflow memory corruption error that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user.

• To exploit the vulnerability, the attacker may provide a link that directs a user to a malicious site and use misleading language or instructions to persuade the user to follow the provided link.

  GE has suggested that this vulnerability could be mitigated by removing the unnecessary ActiveX component from the affected products.  GE has provided a tool to remove the unnecessary component.

• Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.

  Users should verify that unsolicited links are safe to follow.

  Users are advised not to visit websites or follow links that have suspicious characteristics or cannot be verified as safe.

 Vendor Announcements

• GE has released a security advisory at the following link: GEIP12-04

  ICS-CERT has released a security advisory at the following link: ICSA-12-131-02

 Fixed Software

• GE users are advised first to apply the SIM updates for appropriate products and then to run the removal tool using the instructions in the security advisory at the following link: KB14863

  
  
  
  

Duncan

Duncan is a technology professional with over 20 years experience of working in various IT roles. He has a interest in cyber security, and has a wide range of other skills in radio, electronics and telecommunications.