HMS Industrial Networks eCatcher

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 9.6
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low skill level to exploit
• Vendor: HMS Industrial Networks AB
• Equipment: eCatcher
• Vulnerability: Stack-based Buffer Overflow

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could crash the device being accessed. In addition, a buffer overflow condition may allow remote code execution with highest privileges.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of eCatcher, a VPN client, are affected:

• All versions prior to 6.5.5

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1    STACK-BASED BUFFER OVERFLOW CWE-121

The affected product is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, which may allow an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code. 

CVE-2020-14498 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 9.6 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Sweden

3.4 RESEARCHER

Sharon Brizinov of Claroty reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

HMS recommends users update eCatcher to Version 6.5.5 or later. 

For more information, see the HMS advisory.

CISA 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.

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



CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on us-cert.gov. 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 webpage on us-cert.gov 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 CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability.