📄 Description (English)
RealTerm Serial Terminal 2.0.0.70 contains a structured exception handling (SEH) buffer overflow vulnerability in the Echo Port tab that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying a malicious payload. Attackers can craft a buffer overflow payload with a POP POP RET gadget chain and shellcode that triggers code execution when pasted into the Port field and the Change button is clicked.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
RealTerm Serial Terminal 2.0.0.70 contains a critical SEH buffer overflow vulnerability (CVE-2019-25679) that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code through malicious input in the Echo Port tab. The vulnerability requires user interaction (pasting payload and clicking Change button) but provides complete code execution with application privileges. No patch is currently available, making this a persistent risk for organizations using this legacy serial communication tool.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 27, 2026 05:19
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi organizations in telecommunications (STC, Mobily), energy sector (ARAMCO, SEC), and government agencies (NCA, CITC) that rely on legacy serial communication tools for industrial control systems, SCADA networks, and equipment management. The risk is elevated in critical infrastructure environments where RealTerm may be used for device configuration and monitoring. Manufacturing and utilities sectors using serial-based legacy systems are also at significant risk. The local-only attack vector limits exposure but poses insider threat risks in secure facilities.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Telecommunications (STC, Mobily, Zain)
Energy and Utilities (ARAMCO, SEC, power distribution)
Government and Defense (NCA, CITC, military)
Manufacturing and Industrial Control Systems
Healthcare (legacy medical device management)
Transportation and Logistics
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
6.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
Immediate Actions:
1. Identify all systems running RealTerm Serial Terminal 2.0.0.70 through asset inventory and network scanning
2. Restrict access to RealTerm to trusted users only; implement principle of least privilege
3. Disable or isolate RealTerm instances that are not actively required for operations
4. Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution
Compensating Controls:
1. Deploy application execution controls (AppLocker/WDAC on Windows) to restrict RealTerm execution
2. Monitor clipboard operations and file access patterns for suspicious activity
3. Implement code integrity checks and DEP/ASLR enforcement at OS level
4. Use hardware-based execution prevention and control flow guard if available
5. Segment networks to isolate systems running RealTerm from critical infrastructure
Detection Rules:
1. Monitor for SEH exception handling anomalies and ROP gadget chain execution patterns
2. Alert on RealTerm process crashes followed by unexpected child process creation
3. Track clipboard paste events followed by application crashes in RealTerm
4. Monitor for suspicious memory access patterns and code injection attempts
5. Log all RealTerm process execution with command-line arguments and user context
Long-term Remediation:
1. Evaluate and migrate to modern serial communication alternatives (PuTTY, Tera Term, or vendor-specific tools)
2. Upgrade to patched versions when available or discontinue use of RealTerm
3. Implement secure development practices for any custom serial communication tools
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع الأنظمة التي تقوم بتشغيل RealTerm Serial Terminal 2.0.0.70 من خلال جرد الأصول والمسح الشبكي
2. تقييد الوصول إلى RealTerm للمستخدمين الموثوقين فقط؛ تطبيق مبدأ أقل صلاحية
3. تعطيل أو عزل نسخ RealTerm غير المطلوبة بنشاط للعمليات
4. تطبيق قوائم التطبيقات المسموحة لمنع التنفيذ غير المصرح به
الضوابط البديلة:
1. نشر عناصر تحكم تنفيذ التطبيقات (AppLocker/WDAC على Windows) لتقييد تنفيذ RealTerm
2. مراقبة عمليات الحافظة والوصول إلى الملفات للنشاط المريب
3. تطبيق فحوصات سلامة الكود وفرض DEP/ASLR على مستوى نظام التشغيل
4. استخدام منع التنفيذ المستند إلى الأجهزة والتحكم في تدفق التحكم إن أمكن
5. تقسيم الشبكات لعزل الأنظمة التي تقوم بتشغيل RealTerm عن البنية التحتية الحرجة
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة شذوذ معالجة الاستثناءات المنظمة وأنماط تنفيذ سلسلة ROP
2. التنبيه على أعطال عملية RealTerm متبوعة بإنشاء عملية فرعية غير متوقعة
3. تتبع أحداث لصق الحافظة متبوعة بأعطال التطبيق في RealTerm
4. مراقبة أنماط الوصول إلى الذاكرة المريبة ومحاولات حقن الأكواد
5. تسجيل جميع عمليات تنفيذ RealTerm مع معاملات سطر الأوامر وسياق المستخدم
العلاج طويل الأجل:
1. تقييم والهجرة إلى بدائل اتصالات تسلسلية حديثة (PuTTY أو Tera Term أو أدوات خاصة بالبائع)
2. الترقية إلى الإصدارات المصححة عند توفرها أو التوقف عن استخدام RealTerm
3. تطبيق ممارسات التطوير الآمن لأي أدوات اتصالات تسلسلية مخصصة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 - Information Security Policies and Procedures
ECC 2024 A.6.1.1 - Organization of Information Security
ECC 2024 A.8.1.1 - User Endpoint Devices
ECC 2024 A.8.3.1 - Access Control
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Restrictions on Software Installation
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.AM-2 - Software Inventory and Management
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access Control Policy
SAMA CSF PR.PT-1 - Audit and Accountability
SAMA CSF DE.CM-8 - Vulnerability Scanning
SAMA CSF RS.MI-2 - Incident Response and Recovery
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.1 - Policies for Information Security
ISO 27001:2022 A.6.1 - Organization of Information Security
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - User Endpoint Devices
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.3 - Access Control
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.2 - Restrictions on Software Installation
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities
🔗 References & Sources 4
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https://realterm.sourceforge.io/
disclosure@vulncheck.com
https://sourceforge.net/projects/realterm/files/
disclosure@vulncheck.com
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46441
disclosure@vulncheck.com
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/realterm-serial-terminal-buffer-overflow-seh
disclosure@vulncheck.com