Overview
CVE-2025-11779 describes a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in Circutor SGE-PLC1000 and SGE-PLC50 devices, specifically version 9.0.2. This vulnerability could allow an attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected device. This poses a significant risk to industrial control systems (ICS) environments where these PLCs are deployed.
Technical Details
The vulnerability resides in the ‘SetLan’ function, which is invoked during the application of a new configuration to the PLC. This configuration process is triggered by a management web request initiated when a user makes changes through the ‘index.cgi’ web application. The core issue is the insufficient sanitization of input parameters within the ‘SetLan’ function. Attackers can exploit this by injecting malicious code into these unsanitized parameters, leading to a buffer overflow condition. This overflow occurs because the ‘SetLan’ function attempts to write data exceeding the allocated buffer size on the stack.
The lack of input validation allows an attacker to craft a malicious web request with specially crafted parameters. When the ‘SetLan’ function processes these parameters without proper bounds checking, it overwrites adjacent memory locations on the stack. By carefully structuring the injected code, an attacker can potentially overwrite the return address of the ‘SetLan’ function, redirecting program execution to a location of their choosing, enabling command injection.
CVSS Analysis
Currently, the CVSS score for CVE-2025-11779 is not available (N/A). However, based on the nature of the vulnerability (stack-based buffer overflow leading to potential command injection in a PLC), it is highly likely that once assessed, it will receive a high to critical severity rating. A high rating is expected due to the potential for remote code execution and the criticality of PLCs in industrial environments.
Possible Impact
The exploitation of CVE-2025-11779 could have severe consequences, including:
- Remote Code Execution: An attacker could execute arbitrary code on the PLC, gaining full control of the device.
- Denial of Service (DoS): The vulnerability could be exploited to crash the PLC, disrupting industrial processes.
- Compromised Industrial Processes: Attackers could manipulate PLC logic to cause malfunctions, equipment damage, or even safety incidents.
- Data Exfiltration: Sensitive information stored on the PLC or accessible through the PLC could be stolen.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
Until an official patch is released by Circutor, the following mitigation steps are recommended:
- Network Segmentation: Isolate the PLC network from the corporate network and the internet to limit the attack surface.
- Access Control: Restrict access to the PLC web interface to only authorized personnel. Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication if available.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a WAF to filter malicious web requests targeting the ‘index.cgi’ application. Configure the WAF with rules to detect and block potentially malicious input.
- Monitor Network Traffic: Implement network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) to monitor traffic to and from the PLC for suspicious activity.
- Contact Circutor Support: Reach out to Circutor support for updates on patch availability and further mitigation guidance.
Important: Apply the official patch released by Circutor as soon as it becomes available. Ensure you follow the vendor’s instructions carefully during the patching process.