Rockwell Automation ControlLogix PLC Improper Input Validation
Summary
| CVE | CVE-2012-6438 |
|---|---|
| State | PUBLISHED |
| Assigner | icscert |
| Source Priority | CVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback |
| Published | 2013-01-24 21:55:01 UTC |
| Updated | 2026-04-29 01:13:23 UTC |
| Description | The device does not properly validate the data being sent to the buffer. An attacker can send a malformed CIP packet to Port 2222/TCP, Port 2222/UDP, Port 44818/TCP, or Port 44818/UDP, which creates a buffer overflow and causes the NIC to crash. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could cause loss of availability and a disruption in communications with other connected devices. Rockwell Automation EtherNet/IP products; 1756-ENBT, 1756-EWEB, 1768-ENBT, and 1768-EWEB communication modules; CompactLogix L32E and L35E controllers; 1788-ENBT FLEXLogix adapter; 1794-AENTR FLEX I/O EtherNet/IP adapter; ControlLogix 18 and earlier; CompactLogix 18 and earlier; GuardLogix 18 and earlier; SoftLogix 18 and earlier; CompactLogix controllers 19 and earlier; SoftLogix controllers 19 and earlier; ControlLogix controllers 20 and earlier; GuardLogix controllers 20 and earlier; and MicroLogix 1100 and 1400 |
Risk And Classification
Primary CVSS: v2.0 7.8 from [email protected]
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C
Problem Types: CWE-119 | CWE-119 CWE-119
| Version | Source | Type | Score | Severity | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | [email protected] | Primary | 7.8 | AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C | |
| 2.0 | [email protected] | Secondary | 7.8 | AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C | |
| 2.0 | CNA | CVSS | 7.8 | AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C |
CVSS v2.0 Breakdown
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C
NVD Known Affected Configurations (CPE 2.3)
Vendor Declared Affected Products
| Source | Vendor | Product | Version | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | Rockwell Automation | 1756-ENBT 1756-EWEB 1768-ENBT 1768-EWEB Communication Modules | affected All | Not specified |
| CNA | Rockwell Automation | CompactLogix L32E And L35E Controllers | affected All | Not specified |
| CNA | Rockwell Automation | 1788-ENBT FLEXLogix Adapter | affected All | Not specified |
| CNA | Rockwell Automation | 1794-AENTR FLEX I/O EtherNet/IP Adapter | affected All | Not specified |
| CNA | Rockwell Automation | ControlLogix CompactLogix GuardLogix And SoftLogix | affected 18 custom | Not specified |
| CNA | Rockwell Automation | CompactLogix And SoftLogix Controllers | affected 19 custom | Not specified |
| CNA | Rockwell Automation | ControlLogix And GuardLogix Controllers | affected 20 custom | Not specified |
| CNA | Rockwell Automation | MicroLogix | affected 1100 | Not specified |
| CNA | Rockwell Automation | MicroLogix | affected 1400 | Not specified |
References
| Reference | Source | Link | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/aid/470155 | [email protected] | rockwellautomation.custhelp.com | |
| rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/aid/470156 | [email protected] | rockwellautomation.custhelp.com | |
| rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/54102 | [email protected] | rockwellautomation.custhelp.com | |
| rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/470154 | [email protected] | rockwellautomation.custhelp.com | |
| 404 - File Not Found | CISA | af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 | www.us-cert.gov | US Government Resource |
| www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-13-011-03 | [email protected] | www.cisa.gov | |
| CVE Program record | CVE.ORG | www.cve.org | canonical |
| NVD vulnerability detail | NVD | nvd.nist.gov | canonical, analysis |
Vendor Comments And Credit
Discovery Credit
CNA: Rubén Santamarta of IOActive identified vulnerabilities in Rockwell Automation’s ControlLogix PLC and released proof-of-concept (exploit) code at the Digital Bond S4 Conference on January 19, 2012. (en)
Additional Advisory Data
Solutions
CNA: According to Rockwell, any of the above products that become affected by a vulnerability can be reset by rebooting or power cycling the affected product. After the reboot, the affected product may require some reconfiguration. To mitigate the vulnerabilities, Rockwell has developed and released security patches on July 18, 2012, to address each of the issues. To download and install the patches please refer to Rockwell’s Advisories at: https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/470154 https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/aid/470155 https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/aid/470156 For more information on security with Rockwell Automation products, please refer to Rockwell’s Security Advisory Index http://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/54102 .
Workarounds
CNA: Rockwell recommends updating to the newest firmware patches to fix the vulnerabilities, but if not able to do so right away, then Rockwell advises immediately employing the following mitigations for each of the affected products. To mitigate the vulnerabilities pertaining to receiving valid CIP packets: * Block all traffic to the Ethernet/IP or other CIP protocol-based devices from outside the Manufacturing Zone by restricting or blocking access to TCP and UDP Ports 2222 and 44818 using appropriate security technology such as a firewall or Unified Threat Management (UTM). * Employ a UTM appliance that specifically supports CIP message filtering. In addition to the above, Rockwell recommends concerned customers remain vigilant and continue to follow security strategies that help reduce risk and enhance overall control system security. Where possible, they suggest you apply multiple recommendations and complement this list with your own best-practices: * Employ layered security and defense-in-depth methods in system design to restrict and control access to individual products and control networks. Refer to http://www.ab.com/networks/architectures.html for comprehensive information about implementing validated architectures designed to deliver these measures. * Restrict physical and electronic access to automation products, networks, and systems to only those individuals authorized to be in contact with control system equipment. * Employ firewalls with ingress/egress filtering, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and validate all configurations. Evaluate firewall configurations to ensure other appropriate inbound and outbound traffic is blocked. * Use up-to-date end-point protection software (e.g., antivirus/antimalware software) on all PC-based assets. * Make sure that software and control system device firmware is patched to current releases. * Periodically change passwords in control system components and infrastructure devices. * Where applicable, set the controller key-switch/mode-switch to RUN mode. For more information on security with Rockwell Automation products, please refer to Rockwell’s Security Advisory Index http://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/54102 .