CVE-2002-0910 in netstd
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflows in netstd 3.07-17 package allows remote DNS servers to execute arbitrary code via a long FQDN reply, as observed in the utilities (1) linux-ftpd, (2) pcnfsd, (3) tftp, (4) traceroute, or (5) from/to.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0910 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting the netstd 3.07-17 package and its associated network utilities. This security weakness specifically targets five key network applications including linux-ftpd, pcnfsd, tftp, traceroute, and the from/to utilities, all of which are commonly used in network administration and file transfer operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within these utilities when processing DNS responses, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when these utilities receive a malformed DNS response containing an excessively long Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN). The utilities lack proper bounds checking mechanisms to validate the length of incoming FQDN data before attempting to store it in fixed-size buffers. This fundamental flaw allows an attacker controlling a malicious DNS server to craft a response with a specially constructed FQDN that exceeds the allocated buffer space, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical program memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the network protocol level, allowing remote code execution without requiring any local privileges or authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise, as it affects core network services that are fundamental to system administration and network operations. When exploited, the buffer overflow can lead to complete system takeover, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected service. The widespread use of these utilities across different network environments means that exploitation can affect numerous systems simultaneously, potentially creating a cascade of compromises within network infrastructure. Additionally, the vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not need physical access to target systems, making it particularly attractive for large-scale attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected netstd package to version 3.07-18 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections. System administrators should also implement DNS security measures including DNSSEC validation and proper DNS server hardening to prevent unauthorized DNS response manipulation. Network segmentation and firewall rules can be employed to limit exposure of vulnerable services to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual DNS query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through network services. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures for potential compromise scenarios.