CVE-2002-1347 in SASL
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Cyrus SASL library 2.1.9 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via (1) long inputs during user name canonicalization, (2) characters that need to be escaped during LDAP authentication using saslauthd, or (3) an off-by-one error in the log writer, which does not allocate space for the null character that terminates a string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The CVE-2002-1347 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Cyrus Simple Authentication and Security Layer library version 2.1.9 and earlier, affecting numerous network services that rely on this authentication framework. This vulnerability stems from multiple buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt service availability or potentially execute malicious code within the targeted system's context. The Cyrus SASL library serves as a fundamental component for implementing authentication mechanisms across various network protocols including LDAP, SMTP, and IMAP, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could affect a wide range of enterprise services. The vulnerability specifically targets three distinct attack vectors that exploit different aspects of the library's processing logic, each presenting unique challenges for both exploitation and mitigation.
The first vulnerability occurs during user name canonicalization when processing excessively long input strings, while the second vulnerability manifests during LDAP authentication using saslauthd where certain characters require escaping and can trigger buffer overflows. The third and most subtle vulnerability involves an off-by-one error in the log writer component that fails to allocate sufficient memory space for the null terminator character required to properly terminate strings. These buffer overflow conditions create opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes that result in denial of service. The vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they can be triggered without requiring authentication, making them accessible to any remote attacker who can establish connections to services using the vulnerable SASL library. The root cause of these issues aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflows, and CWE-122, which covers stack-based buffer overflows, demonstrating the fundamental weakness in memory management practices within the library's implementation.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1347 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Network services such as email servers, directory services, and authentication systems that depend on Cyrus SASL become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources. The denial of service component of this vulnerability can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where authentication services are critical infrastructure components, as it can effectively disable authentication mechanisms and render systems inaccessible to legitimate users. From an attacker's perspective, the vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be automated, making it attractive for widespread deployment in botnets or large-scale attack campaigns. The attack surface is extensive as the vulnerable library is used across multiple protocols and services, meaning a single exploitation can potentially compromise numerous systems within a network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1347 require immediate patching of the Cyrus SASL library to version 2.1.10 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for all three identified buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems using vulnerable versions of the library and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable services to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual authentication patterns or service disruptions that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, and T1499, which addresses network disruption through service availability attacks. Security teams should also implement proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within applications that interface with the SASL library to add additional defense layers. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in other system components, as the underlying issues in the Cyrus SASL library demonstrate common programming practices that can lead to similar security flaws across different software implementations.