CVE-2001-0010 in BIND
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in transaction signature (TSIG) handling code in BIND 8 allows remote attackers to gain root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0010 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the transaction signature handling mechanism of BIND version 8, a widely deployed Domain Name System server software. This issue specifically affects the TSIG (Transaction Signature) processing code which is responsible for authenticating DNS transactions between servers. The buffer overflow occurs when the system processes malformed TSIG records, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the TSIG processing routines of BIND 8. When a maliciously crafted DNS query containing an oversized TSIG record is sent to a vulnerable server, the application fails to properly validate the length of the signature data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses and control data structures. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it a prime target for automated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple denial of service scenarios. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to gain root privileges on affected DNS servers. This represents a severe security risk for organizations relying on BIND 8 for their DNS infrastructure, as compromised DNS servers can be used for various malicious activities including cache poisoning, data exfiltration, and as launching points for broader network attacks. The vulnerability affects systems where BIND 8 is running with default configurations, making it particularly widespread across internet-facing DNS infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to BIND 9 or applying the vendor-provided patches that address the buffer overflow in TSIG handling code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. Additional defensive measures include network segmentation, implementing proper access controls for DNS services, and monitoring for unusual TSIG-related traffic patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed TSIG records and other indicators of potential exploitation attempts.