CriticalPublic exploit

Command Injection in KeyWorks KeyHelp ActiveX Control (KeyHelp.ocx)

IdentifiersCVE-2012-2516CWE-77

CVE-2012-2516 is a command injection vulnerability in the KeyHelp.ocx ActiveX control, part of the KeyWorks KeyHelp Module (HTML Help component), used in multiple GE Intelligent Platforms products including Proficy Historian (3.1, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5), Proficy HMI/SCADA iFIX (5.0, 5.1), Proficy Pulse 1.0, Proficy Batch Execution 5.6, and SI7 I/O Driver (7.20-7.42). The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system by supplying crafted input to the vulnerable ActiveX control, due to insufficient input validation.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable application. This can lead to full system compromise, data theft, or further lateral movement within the network, especially in industrial control environments where these products are deployed.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Restrict access to the affected ActiveX control by setting appropriate kill bits in the Windows registry, or by configuring Internet Explorer to disable ActiveX controls. Limit user privileges and avoid running affected applications with administrative rights. Employ network segmentation and restrict access to systems running vulnerable software, especially in ICS/SCADA environments.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates that address the vulnerability. If patches are not available, unregister or disable the vulnerable KeyHelp.ocx ActiveX control. GE has released advisories and updates for affected products; refer to the vendor's security bulletins for specific remediation steps.

PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

1 valid exploit after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos.

VALID 1 / 1 TOTALView more in app

keyhelp_launchtripane_exec.rbMaturityWeaponizedFrameworkmetasploitVerified exploit

This repository contains a single Metasploit module (keyhelp_launchtripane_exec.rb) that exploits a remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2012-2516) in the KeyScript ActiveX control (keyhelp.ocx) used in several GE Proficy products. The exploit targets Windows systems (pre-Vista, e.g., Windows XP SP3) with the vulnerable ActiveX control installed and the WebClient (WebDAV Mini-Redirector) service enabled. The module sets up an HTTP server that delivers a malicious HTML page, which uses the LaunchTriPane method of the KeyHelp.KeyScript ActiveX object to abuse the '-decompile' option of hh.exe, allowing arbitrary files to be written to the system. The attack uploads a payload executable and a MOF file, which is then executed via Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), resulting in arbitrary code execution. The exploit requires the server to run on port 80 and serve content from the root URI. The main endpoints involved are the HTTP server root, and the files written to the target system (msfmsf.exe and msfmsf.mof). The module is operational and allows for customizable payloads, but is not weaponized for mass exploitation.

Disclosed Jun 26, 2012rubybrowsernetwork

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType

General ElectricIntelligent Platforms Proficy Batch Executionapplication

General ElectricIntelligent Platforms Proficy Historianapplication

General ElectricIntelligent Platforms Proficy Hmi/Scada Ifixapplication

General ElectricIntelligent Platforms Proficy Pulseapplication

General ElectricIntelligent Platforms Si7 I/O Driverapplication

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

No public activity tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

0 SOURCESView more in app

No public activity observed for this vulnerability.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

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Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity