CVE-2001-0908 in Metaframe
Summary
by MITRE
CITRIX Metaframe 1.8 logs the Client Address (IP address) that is provided by the client instead of obtaining it from the packet headers, which allows clients to spoof their public IP address, e.g. through Network Address Translation (NAT).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0908 affects CITRIX Metaframe 1.8 implementations where the system logs client IP addresses provided by the client rather than deriving them from network packet headers. This fundamental flaw in network address validation creates a significant security risk within the Metaframe environment. The issue stems from the application's trust in client-provided information without proper verification mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to manipulate their network identity within the logging system.
This vulnerability represents a classic case of improper input validation and trust model design, aligning with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation and CWE-310 - Cryptographic Issues. The flaw enables man-in-the-middle attacks and IP address spoofing scenarios where clients can present false IP addresses to the Metaframe server. When NAT is involved, the vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to mask their true network location while maintaining access to the system. The logging mechanism becomes unreliable as it cannot accurately determine the true source of network requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple logging inaccuracies to encompass complete network security posture degradation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to bypass access controls, conduct unauthorized network reconnaissance, and potentially launch targeted attacks against other systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability undermines the integrity of network monitoring and auditing processes, making it difficult for security administrators to accurately identify and respond to malicious activities. This creates a false sense of security while simultaneously weakening the overall defense mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper network address validation mechanisms. Organizations should configure Metaframe servers to verify client IP addresses against actual packet headers rather than trusting client-provided information. Network administrators should implement additional security layers such as firewall rules that validate source addresses, deploy intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious address patterns, and establish proper network segmentation to limit the impact of successful exploitation. The solution aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, requiring comprehensive network security hardening measures. Regular security audits and network traffic analysis should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain system integrity.