Overview
CVE-2025-11784 identifies a significant stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability present in Circutor SGE-PLC1000 and SGE-PLC50 devices running version 9.0.2. This flaw, residing within the ‘ShowMeterDatabase()’ function, allows an attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected device by providing an excessively large input to the ‘meter’ parameter. This vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and requires immediate attention from organizations utilizing these PLC devices.
Technical Details
The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the insufficient input validation within the ‘ShowMeterDatabase()’ function. Specifically, the ‘GetParameter(meter)’ function retrieves user-provided input, which is subsequently used in an sprintf() call to copy data into a fixed-size buffer. The absence of size checks before this copy operation allows an attacker to inject a string longer than the allocated buffer size, leading to a stack-based buffer overflow. The ‘meter’ parameter, taken directly from user input, becomes the vehicle for this overflow. An attacker can craft a malicious input for the ‘meter’ parameter that exceeds the buffer capacity, overwriting adjacent memory on the stack. This could include return addresses, allowing the attacker to redirect program execution to malicious code.
Vulnerable Function Chain:
ShowMeterDatabase(): Contains the vulnerablesprintf()call.GetParameter(meter): Retrieves user input for the ‘meter’ parameter without adequate size validation.
CVSS Analysis
As of the current information, the CVSS score for CVE-2025-11784 is listed as N/A (Not Available). However, given the nature of stack-based buffer overflows, its exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, potentially granting an attacker full control over the affected PLC device. A complete CVSS score calculation is recommended once exploitability details and impact metrics become available. Organizations should treat this vulnerability as a high-risk issue until a formal CVSS score is published.
Possible Impact
The successful exploitation of CVE-2025-11784 can have severe consequences, especially within industrial control system (ICS) environments. The potential impacts include:
- Arbitrary Code Execution: An attacker could execute malicious code on the PLC, potentially disrupting operations or manipulating controlled processes.
- Denial of Service (DoS): Overwriting critical data on the stack could cause the PLC to crash, leading to a denial-of-service condition.
- System Compromise: Full control over the PLC could allow the attacker to modify configurations, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised device to pivot to other systems within the network.
- Physical Damage: In extreme cases, manipulation of controlled processes could lead to equipment damage or even safety-related incidents.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The primary mitigation strategy is to apply the official patch or firmware update provided by Circutor. Until a patch is available, consider the following interim steps:
- Network Segmentation: Isolate the PLC network from the corporate network to limit the potential impact of a successful attack.
- Access Control: Restrict access to the PLC management interface and limit the number of users with administrative privileges.
- Input Validation: If possible (and without disrupting functionality), implement input validation on the ‘meter’ parameter within the ‘ShowMeterDatabase()’ function. This is highly unlikely without access to the source code, so this serves primarily as a theoretical defense-in-depth measure.
- Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS): Deploy IDS/IPS solutions to monitor network traffic for malicious activity and potentially block exploitation attempts.
- Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Closely monitor PLC logs and network traffic for any signs of compromise or unusual behavior.
