CVE-2002-0013 in Aironet Access Point
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerabilities in the SNMPv1 request handling of a large number of SNMP implementations allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service or gain privileges via (1) GetRequest, (2) GetNextRequest, and (3) SetRequest messages, as demonstrated by the PROTOS c06-SNMPv1 test suite. NOTE: It is highly likely that this candidate will be SPLIT into multiple candidates, one or more for each vendor. This and other SNMP-related candidates will be updated when more accurate information is available.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0013 represents a critical weakness in SNMPv1 implementation across numerous network management systems that enables remote attackers to exploit fundamental protocol handling mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the processing of three core SNMPv1 message types including GetRequest, GetNextRequest, and SetRequest operations that form the backbone of network monitoring and management communications. The flaw manifests in how these implementations handle malformed or specially crafted SNMP packets, creating opportunities for attackers to either disrupt network services through denial of service conditions or potentially escalate privileges within the affected systems. The vulnerability was demonstrated through the PROTOS c06-SNMPv1 test suite, which provided concrete evidence of the exploitability across multiple vendor implementations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within SNMPv1 protocol implementations, particularly in how they process request messages that contain malformed data structures or unexpected parameter values. When SNMP agents receive these specially crafted packets, the flawed implementations fail to properly validate the incoming data, leading to potential buffer overflows, memory corruption, or unexpected program termination. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses buffer overflow vulnerabilities in heap memory allocation. These weaknesses in input validation create opportunities for attackers to manipulate the normal execution flow of SNMP daemon processes, potentially leading to system crashes or unauthorized access to network management functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0013 extends far beyond simple service disruption, as SNMPv1 implementations are fundamental to network infrastructure management and monitoring. Organizations relying on these vulnerable systems face significant risks including complete network service outages, loss of critical monitoring capabilities, and potential unauthorized access to network configuration data. The vulnerability affects not only network devices but also management stations that process SNMP requests, creating cascading effects throughout network infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive network information, manipulate device configurations, or cause widespread network disruption that impacts business operations and service availability. The distributed nature of SNMP implementations means that even a single vulnerable device within a network can provide attackers with a foothold to compromise the entire network management infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from network administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining SNMP-based network management systems. The primary recommendation involves implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures within all SNMP implementations, ensuring that all incoming request messages are properly validated before processing. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of SNMP services to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. The use of SNMPv3, which provides authentication and encryption capabilities, represents a more robust long-term solution to address these fundamental protocol weaknesses. Additionally, regular security updates and patches from vendors, along with comprehensive network monitoring to detect anomalous SNMP traffic patterns, form essential components of a defense-in-depth strategy. The vulnerability's potential for privilege escalation and denial of service makes it particularly dangerous, requiring immediate action to prevent exploitation and maintain network integrity. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper protocol implementation and validation in network infrastructure components.