Headline
ABB Cylon Aspect 3.08.04 (DeploySource) Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution
A buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the mstp.ko kernel module, responsible for processing BACnet MS/TP frames over serial (RS485). The SendFrame() function writes directly into a statically sized kernel buffer (alloc_entry(0x1f5)) without validating the length of attacker-controlled data (param_5). If an MS/TP frame contains a crafted payload exceeding 492 bytes, the function performs out-of-bounds writes beyond the allocated 501-byte buffer, corrupting kernel memory. This flaw allows local or physically connected attackers to trigger denial-of-service or achieve remote code execution in kernel space. Tested against version 3.08.03 with a custom BACnet frame over /dev/ttyS0.
Title: ABB Cylon Aspect 3.08.04 (DeploySource) Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution
Advisory ID: ZSL-2025-5954
Type: Local/Remote
Impact: Security Bypass, System Access, DoS
Risk: (5/5)
Release Date: 04.06.2025
Summary
ASPECT is an award-winning scalable building energy management and control solution designed to allow users seamless access to their building data through standard building protocols including smart devices.
Description
ABB Cylon Aspect BMS/BAS is vulnerable to a critical flaw in the AuthenticatedHttpServlet within its application server, enabling remote attackers to bypass authentication by setting the Host: 127.0.0.1 header. This deceives the server into processing requests as if they originate from localhost, granting unauthorized access to privileged operations. This bypass grants access to privileged functionality, including the DeploymentServlet, which is vulnerable to directory traversal. By leveraging this, an attacker can write arbitrary PHP files outside the intended directory scope. When combined, these issues allow remote attackers to upload a malicious PHP shell and execute system commands with the privileges of the web server, leading to full system compromise.
Vendor
ABB Ltd. - https://www.global.abb
Affected Version
NEXUS Series, MATRIX-2 Series, ASPECT-Enterprise, ASPECT-Studio
Firmware: <=3.08.04
Tested On
GNU/Linux 3.15.10 (armv7l)
GNU/Linux 3.10.0 (x86_64)
GNU/Linux 2.6.32 (x86_64)
Intel® Atom™ Processor E3930 @ 1.30GHz
Intel® Xeon® Silver 4208 CPU @ 2.10GHz
PHP/7.3.11
PHP/5.6.30
PHP/5.4.16
PHP/4.4.8
PHP/5.3.3
AspectFT Automation Application Server
lighttpd/1.4.32
lighttpd/1.4.18
Apache/2.2.15 (CentOS)
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (rhel-2.6.22.1.-x86_64)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 24.261-b02, mixed mode)
ErgoTech MIX Deployment Server 2.0.0
Vendor Status
[21.04.2024] Vulnerability discovered.
[22.04.2024] Vendor contacted.
[22.04.2024] Vendor responds.
[02.05.2024] Working with the vendor.
[21.05.2025] No response from the vendor.
[04.06.2025] Public security advisory released.
PoC
abb_aspect_rce28.txt
Credits
Vulnerability discovered by Gjoko Krstic - <[email protected]>
References
N/A
Changelog
[04.06.2025] - Initial release
Contact
Zero Science Lab
Web: https://www.zeroscience.mk
e-mail: [email protected]