ICS Advisory

AVEVA Wonderware License Server

Last Revised
Alert Code
ICSA-18-212-05

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  • CVSS v3 9.8
  • ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/Low skill level to exploit
  • Vendor: AVEVA Software, LLC (AVEVA)
  • Equipment: Wonderware License Server
  • Vulnerability: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in remote code execution with administrative privileges.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of Wonderware License Server use the vulnerable Flexara Imgrd (Versions 11.13.1.1 and prior):

  • Wonderware License Server v4.0.13100 and prior.

Only users with the Counted Licenses feature with “ArchestrAServer.lic” in Wonderware License Server are affected.
Wonderware License Server is delivered by:

  • Wonderware Information Server 4.0 SP1 and prior, and
  • Historian Client 2014 R4 SP2 P02 and prior.

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1   IMPROPER RESTRICTION OF OPERATIONS WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF A MEMORY BUFFER CWE-119

Buffer overflows in lmgrd and vendor daemon in Flexera FlexNet Publisher may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted packet, resulting in remote code execution with administrator privileges.

CVE-2015-8277 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Chemical, Critical Manufacturing, Energy, Food and Agriculture, and Water and Wastewater
  • COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
  • COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United Kingdom

3.4 RESEARCHER

An anonymous researcher reported this vulnerability to AVEVA, who then reported it to NCCIC.

4. MITIGATIONS

AVEVA recommends affected users install update “Hotfix Wonderware License Server VU-485744” or later, which can be downloaded from:

https://softwaresupportsp.schneider-electric.com/#/producthub/details?id=5076 (login required)

AVEVA has published Security Bulletin LFSEC00000129. It can be found at the following location:

https://sw.aveva.com/hubfs/assets-2018/pdf/security-bulletin/SecurityBulletin_LFSec129.pdf

NCCIC recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. Specifically, users should:

  • Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure that they are not accessible from the Internet.
  • Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls, and isolate them from the business network.
  • When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing that VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize that VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.

NCCIC reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

NCCIC also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS-CERT web page. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS-CERT website in the Technical Information Paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to NCCIC for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability.

This product is provided subject to this Notification and this Privacy & Use policy.

Vendor

AVEVA