External risk intelligence

VxWorks Debug Service Memory Access Vulnerability.

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2010-2965

A flaw in a debug service for Wind River VxWorks and Rockwell Automation products allows attackers to read or modify memory, execute functions, or manage tasks. This impacts system integrity and data confidentiality for affected organizations. The business risk involves potential disruption of operations and unauthoriz

2Halo Surface Signal

Rockwellautomation 1756 Enbt\/a Firmware

3.2.63.6.16.9.4.12 and earlier

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2010-2965

This vulnerability affects debug services in industrial control and real-time operating systems. While the service is reachable via UDP port 17185, these devices are typically deployed within isolated internal networks or behind specialized firewalls. Public internet exposure is uncommon and generally considered a misconfiguration in typical deployment environments.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

The WDB target agent debug service within Wind River VxWorks and Rockwell Automation products contains a flaw that permits unauthorized access. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to read or change arbitrary memory, execute functions, or control system tasks. The potential impact includes the compromise of system integrity and data confidentiality for affected organizations.

  • Vulnerable debug service
  • Arbitrary memory access and task management
  • Compromised system integrity and data

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability affects the Wind River VxWorks operating system's WDB target agent debug service. Organizations using affected systems may face risks if the debug service is exposed to network access. An attacker could leverage this exposure to interact with the debug service, potentially leading to unauthorized control or data compromise.

  • Exposed debug service
  • Attacker sends requests to UDP port
  • Arbitrary memory access or task management

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated attacker to remotely read or modify memory, execute functions, or manage tasks on affected systems. This could lead to significant disruption of industrial control systems. The potential for attackers to gain control over critical operational functions presents a considerable business risk.

  • Attacker skill level: Low
  • Required access or conditions: Network access
  • Business risk or urgency: High

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The WDB target agent debug service in Wind River VxWorks and Rockwell Automation 1756-ENBT firmware allows remote attackers to access and alter memory, execute functions, and manage tasks. This could expose sensitive data and disrupt operations by allowing unauthorized control over critical system functions. The vulnerability is accessible over UDP port 17185.

  • Identify exposed systems and assets.
  • Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
  • Apply vendor fixes and validate.
  • Monitor for related issues.

Frequently asked questions

What is Wind River VxWorks and what is it used for?

Wind River VxWorks is a real-time operating system (RTOS) used in a wide variety of embedded systems. It's common in devices that require predictable performance and timely responses, such as industrial control systems, networking equipment, and aerospace applications. The WDB target agent debug service is a component within VxWorks.

How does CVE-2010-2965 allow attackers to affect systems?

CVE-2010-2965 is a weakness classified as CWE-863, which involves incorrect security authorization. This flaw allows remote attackers to read or modify arbitrary memory, initiate function calls, or manage system tasks on affected devices.

What conditions are needed for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability?

An attacker needs network access to reach the affected debug service on UDP port 17185. The vulnerability is not triggered if the debug service is not exposed to the network.

Who should be concerned about this vulnerability based on network exposure?

Organizations with industrial control systems or other critical infrastructure running affected versions of VxWorks or Rockwell Automation products should be concerned. The Halo Surface Signal indicates this vulnerability is unlikely to be exposed to the public internet but could be accessible within internal networks.

What is the first step for organizations running this technology?

The initial step is to identify systems that are running the vulnerable software versions and check if the debug service is exposed to the network. Reducing this exposure or isolating the affected systems can help mitigate the risk.

References