CVE-2002-0398 in Red-M
Summary
by MITRE
red-m 1050 (bluetooth access point) ppp server allows bonded users to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long user name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0398 affects the red-m 1050 bluetooth access point device which operates as a ppp server implementation. This particular flaw resides within the authentication and session management mechanisms of the device's ppp server component. The vulnerability manifests when bonded users attempt to establish connections through the bluetooth access point, creating a scenario where malicious or unauthorized users can exploit the system's handling of user credentials. The device fails to properly validate or sanitize user name inputs during the ppp authentication process, leading to a potential buffer overflow condition that can be triggered by supplying an excessively long user name parameter. This particular implementation flaw represents a classic security weakness in network authentication systems where input validation is insufficiently enforced, allowing attackers to manipulate system behavior through crafted input data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a buffer overflow attack vector that leverages the ppp server's inadequate handling of user name parameters. When a user name exceeding the allocated buffer space is submitted during authentication, the system's memory management fails to properly terminate or truncate the input, causing memory corruption that can result in system instability. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure devices. The attack requires only that an authenticated user with bonding privileges be able to submit malicious input, which can be accomplished through various means including automated tools or manual manipulation of connection parameters. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflows, both of which are fundamental weaknesses in memory management that enable privilege escalation and system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability within the red-m 1050 bluetooth access point environment is significant as it affects the availability and integrity of the device's network services. Network administrators and security professionals must consider that a single compromised user account with bonding privileges could potentially cause complete system outages or enable unauthorized access to network resources. The device's role as a bluetooth access point means that legitimate users may be unable to establish connections while the system remains in a compromised state. Organizations relying on this device for wireless network access control face potential exposure to unauthorized network penetration, especially if the device is not properly isolated from critical network segments. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in extended service disruption periods while system recovery procedures are implemented, impacting business continuity and network availability for legitimate users who depend on the access point for connectivity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the buffer overflow condition in the ppp server implementation. Network administrators should implement strict input validation controls at the device level to prevent overly long user name parameters from being processed by the authentication system. Access controls should be enforced to limit the privileges of users who can establish bonded connections, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. The implementation of network segmentation and monitoring systems can help detect unusual authentication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary ppp server functionality if it is not required for business operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input sanitization and memory management practices in embedded network devices, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and denial of service. Organizations should also establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components, particularly those implementing authentication services that handle user credentials.