CVE-2001-0598 in Norton Ghost
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Ghost 6.5 and earlier allows a remote attacker to create a denial of service by sending large (> 45Kb) amounts of data to the Ghost Configuration Server on port 1347, which triggers an error that is not properly handled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0598 represents a critical denial of service weakness in Symantec Ghost 6.5 and earlier versions that exposes the Ghost Configuration Server to remote exploitation. This flaw specifically targets the server component that operates on port 1347, making it susceptible to malicious data injection attacks that can disrupt normal service operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the server application, creating a pathway for attackers to intentionally destabilize the system through carefully crafted data payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves sending data packets exceeding 45 kilobytes in size to the designated server port, which triggers an unhandled error condition within the Ghost Configuration Server. When the server receives this oversized data, it fails to properly process or sanitize the input, leading to an error state that results in service disruption or complete system failure. This type of flaw falls under the category of improper error handling as defined by CWE-704, where the system does not adequately manage exceptional conditions that arise from malformed or unexpected input. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow or input validation failure pattern that was prevalent in network services of that era.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where the Ghost Configuration Server may be exposed to untrusted networks or internet-facing services. The attack vector allows for easy exploitation using basic network tools, making it a prime target for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns. Organizations utilizing Symantec Ghost in their deployment infrastructure face significant risk of service interruptions that could impact system imaging operations, backup procedures, and overall network management capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions of Symantec Ghost that address the error handling deficiencies. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to restrict access to port 1347, limiting exposure to only trusted administrative networks. Additionally, implementing network intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for large data packets sent to port 1347 can help identify potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service attacks, and organizations should consider implementing defensive measures such as rate limiting and input validation controls to prevent similar issues. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper error handling in network services, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other industry standards that emphasize robust input validation and graceful error recovery mechanisms to prevent exploitation of such fundamental flaws.