CVE-2001-1292 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
Sambar Telnet Proxy/Server allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1292 affects the Sambar Telnet Proxy/Server software, which was a widely used web server and proxy solution in the early 2000s. This particular flaw resides in the authentication handling mechanism of the Telnet service component within the Sambar suite, making it a critical security weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any authentication credentials. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes password inputs that exceed normal length parameters, creating a buffer overflow condition that can be leveraged for both denial of service and potential remote code execution attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the Telnet authentication routine. When a remote attacker submits an excessively long password string to the Sambar Telnet service, the system fails to properly handle the input length, resulting in memory corruption that can cause the service to crash or potentially allow arbitrary code execution. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of unsafe string handling in network services. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through network connections to the affected Telnet service port, typically port 23.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1292 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially provide attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. The denial of service aspect can render the Telnet service unavailable to legitimate users, disrupting administrative access to the system. However, the more severe implications arise from the potential for arbitrary code execution, which could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying system, escalate privileges, and establish persistent access. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a core network service component that was often enabled by default in many Sambar installations, providing attackers with multiple attack vectors for system compromise.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1110 for credential access through brute force methods and T1059 for command and control execution. The attack surface is relatively broad since Telnet services were commonly exposed to untrusted networks, and the vulnerability can be exploited by attackers without requiring any prior authentication or specialized tools beyond basic network connectivity. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected systems, disabling unnecessary Telnet services, implementing network segmentation to isolate critical systems, and monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and firewall rules to restrict access to Telnet ports, as well as conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other instances of the Sambar software that may be running vulnerable versions.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper input validation and memory management in network services, particularly those handling authentication credentials. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly simple parameter handling can create severe security implications, emphasizing the need for robust security testing and code review practices. Given the age of this vulnerability and the widespread use of Sambar software at the time, it likely affected numerous organizations and systems that were not properly maintained or updated, making it a significant historical example of how inadequate security practices in network infrastructure components can create persistent attack vectors.