CVE-2020-27280
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2020-27280 is a use-after-free vulnerability in ISPSoft versions 3.12 and earlier that allows arbitrary code execution when processing malicious project files. Attackers can craft special project files to exploit this memory corruption issue. Organizations using affected ISPSoft versions for industrial control system programming are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- ISPSoft
📦 What is this software?
Ispsoft by Deltaww
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining full control of the engineering workstation, potentially enabling lateral movement to industrial control systems.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation or remote code execution on engineering workstations, leading to manipulation of industrial processes or data theft.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and file validation controls preventing malicious project file execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the victim to open a malicious project file. No public exploit code has been identified, but the vulnerability is well-documented in ICS advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: ISPSoft v3.13 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.deltaww.com/en-US/Service/DownloadCenter
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download ISPSoft v3.13 or later from Delta Electronics website. 2. Uninstall previous version. 3. Install updated version. 4. Restart the system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict project file sources
allOnly open project files from trusted sources and implement file validation procedures
Application whitelisting
windowsImplement application control to prevent unauthorized execution of ISPSoft with untrusted files
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Segment engineering workstations from production networks using firewalls
- Implement strict file transfer controls and scanning for all project files
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check ISPSoft version via Help > About in the application interfaceCheck Version:
Not applicable - check via application GUIVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version is 3.13 or higher in Help > About menu📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected application crashes of ISPSoft
- Unusual file access patterns to .isp project files
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network connections from engineering workstations
- File transfers of project files from untrusted sources
SIEM Query:
EventID=1000 OR EventID=1001 AND ProcessName="ISPSoft.exe" AND (ExceptionCode=0xc0000005 OR ExceptionCode=0xc0000374)