📄 Description (English)
Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2 Improper Input Validation Vulnerability — Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2 lacks proper validation of user-supplied data when parsing specific project files (improper input validation) resulting in an out-of-bounds write that allows for code execution.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2021-38406 is a critical vulnerability in Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2 that allows remote code execution through improper input validation in project file parsing. An attacker can craft malicious project files to trigger out-of-bounds write operations, achieving arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected user. With a CVSS score of 9.0 and publicly available exploits, this poses an immediate threat to industrial control systems and critical infrastructure operators in Saudi Arabia.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 21, 2026 02:51
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability directly impacts Saudi Arabia's critical infrastructure sectors, particularly: (1) Energy sector — ARAMCO and downstream petroleum companies using Delta controllers for SCADA/ICS systems; (2) Water and Wastewater — SWCC and regional utilities managing treatment facilities; (3) Manufacturing — petrochemical complexes and industrial facilities relying on Delta automation equipment; (4) Government — critical infrastructure operators under NCA oversight. The vulnerability allows attackers to compromise industrial control systems, potentially disrupting production, causing safety incidents, or enabling lateral movement into enterprise networks. Organizations using DOPSoft 2 for engineering and maintenance of Delta PLC systems face immediate risk of system compromise.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Energy (ARAMCO, downstream petroleum)
Water and Wastewater (SWCC, regional utilities)
Manufacturing (petrochemical, industrial automation)
Government (critical infrastructure operators)
Utilities (electricity distribution)
Industrial Control Systems (ICS/SCADA operators)
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1566.001 — Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment (malicious project files)
T1190 — Exploit Public-Facing Application (vulnerable DOPSoft 2)
T1203 — Exploitation for Client Execution (out-of-bounds write exploitation)
T1059.003 — Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell (post-exploitation)
T1547.001 — Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Registry Run Keys (persistence)
T1547.014 — Boot or Logon Autostart Execution: Active Setup (persistence mechanism)
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
9.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all systems running Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2 and isolate affected engineering workstations from production networks if possible
2. Restrict access to DOPSoft 2 to authorized personnel only; implement principle of least privilege
3. Disable network access to systems running DOPSoft 2 unless absolutely necessary
4. Implement file integrity monitoring on project files (.dvp, .dop extensions)
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Apply Delta Electronics security patch immediately — contact Delta support for latest version
2. Upgrade to DOPSoft 2 version 2.8.8.0 or later (verify patch availability with vendor)
3. Test patches in isolated lab environment before production deployment
4. Maintain offline backups of critical project files before patching
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if patch unavailable):
1. Implement application whitelisting on engineering workstations
2. Use network segmentation to isolate DOPSoft 2 systems from production networks
3. Disable file sharing protocols (SMB/RDP) to engineering workstations
4. Implement strict input validation at network boundaries
5. Monitor for suspicious file access patterns
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for .dvp/.dop file modifications from untrusted sources
2. Alert on DOPSoft 2 process crashes or unexpected memory access violations
3. Track file access to project directories with focus on external/removable media
4. Monitor for process injection attempts targeting DOPSoft 2.exe
5. Log all file open operations with focus on malformed project files
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع الأنظمة التي تعمل بـ Delta Electronics DOPSoft 2 وعزل محطات العمل المتأثرة عن شبكات الإنتاج إن أمكن
2. تقييد الوصول إلى DOPSoft 2 للموظفين المصرح لهم فقط؛ تطبيق مبدأ الحد الأدنى من الصلاحيات
3. تعطيل الوصول الشبكي للأنظمة التي تعمل بـ DOPSoft 2 ما لم يكن ضرورياً
4. تطبيق مراقبة سلامة الملفات على ملفات المشروع
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. تطبيق تصحيح الأمان من Delta Electronics فوراً — التواصل مع دعم Delta للحصول على أحدث إصدار
2. الترقية إلى DOPSoft 2 الإصدار 2.8.8.0 أو أحدث
3. اختبار التصحيحات في بيئة معزولة قبل نشرها في الإنتاج
4. الاحتفاظ بنسخ احتياطية غير متصلة بالشبكة لملفات المشروع الحرجة
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح متاحاً):
1. تطبيق قائمة بيضاء للتطبيقات على محطات العمل الهندسية
2. استخدام تقسيم الشبكة لعزل أنظمة DOPSoft 2 عن شبكات الإنتاج
3. تعطيل بروتوكولات مشاركة الملفات على محطات العمل الهندسية
4. تطبيق التحقق الصارم من صحة الإدخال عند حدود الشبكة
5. مراقبة أنماط الوصول المريبة للملفات
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة تعديلات ملفات المشروع من مصادر غير موثوقة
2. التنبيه على أعطال عملية DOPSoft 2 أو انتهاكات الوصول إلى الذاكرة غير المتوقعة
3. تتبع الوصول إلى ملفات المشروع مع التركيز على الوسائط الخارجية
4. مراقبة محاولات حقن العمليات التي تستهدف DOPSoft 2.exe
5. تسجيل جميع عمليات فتح الملفات مع التركيز على ملفات المشروع المشوهة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 — Information Security Policies (secure development practices)
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 — Change Management (patch management procedures)
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 — Management of Technical Vulnerabilities (vulnerability assessment and remediation)
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 — Secure Development (input validation requirements)
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.BE-1 — Business Environment (critical infrastructure protection)
SAMA CSF PR.IP-1 — Information Protection Processes (secure development)
SAMA CSF PR.IP-12 — Software, Firmware, and Information Integrity (patch management)
SAMA CSF DE.CM-8 — Vulnerability Scans (detection of vulnerable systems)
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1.1 — Inventory of Assets (tracking DOPSoft 2 installations)
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.2.1 — User Access Management (principle of least privilege)
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6.1 — Management of Technical Vulnerabilities (patch management)
ISO 27001:2022 A.14.2.1 — Secure Development (input validation controls)
🔗 References & Sources 0
No references.
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
Delta Electronics:DOPSoft 2