CVE-2001-0612 in Remote Desktop 32
Summary
by MITRE
McAfee Remote Desktop 3.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a large number of packets to port 5045.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0612 affects McAfee Remote Desktop version 3.0 and earlier implementations, presenting a significant security risk through its susceptibility to denial of service attacks. This flaw manifests when the system receives an excessive volume of packets directed toward port 5045, which serves as the primary communication port for the remote desktop service. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient input validation and resource handling within network services, where the application fails to properly manage or limit incoming data streams. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or specialized privileges, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the target system's network interface.
The technical mechanism underlying this vulnerability involves the application's failure to implement proper packet rate limiting or buffer management when processing network traffic on port 5045. When an attacker floods this port with a large number of packets, the system's memory management and processing capabilities become overwhelmed, leading to a complete service crash or system instability. This behavior aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes the vulnerability as an unspecified weakness in resource management, specifically related to inadequate handling of resource consumption under stress conditions. The flaw essentially creates a condition where the system cannot properly differentiate between legitimate and malicious traffic patterns, resulting in resource exhaustion that manifests as a denial of service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, as it can potentially disrupt critical business processes that depend on remote desktop connectivity. Organizations utilizing McAfee Remote Desktop for administrative access, remote support, or system management would face significant operational challenges when this vulnerability is exploited. The attack's simplicity and effectiveness mean that even low-skilled adversaries could successfully compromise system availability, making this a particularly dangerous flaw in enterprise environments where remote access is frequently used. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor defensive programming practices that could indicate additional weaknesses in the application's overall security posture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing network-level protections and application-level hardening measures. Network administrators should deploy firewall rules to limit access to port 5045, restricting connections to only trusted sources and implementing rate limiting mechanisms to prevent packet flooding attacks. The recommended approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1498, which addresses defense against denial of service attacks through network segmentation and traffic control measures. Additionally, organizations should prioritize updating to newer versions of McAfee Remote Desktop that address this specific vulnerability, as the original affected versions lack proper input validation and resource management. System monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns on port 5045, enabling rapid response to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of implementing robust input validation and resource management practices in network services to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications.