CVE-2002-2098 in Axspawn
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in axspawn.c in Axspawn-pam before 0.2.1a allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via large packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2098 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the axspawn.c component of Axspawn-pam software versions prior to 0.2.1a. This issue resides in the authentication and session management framework that integrates with the pluggable authentication modules architecture, creating a significant security risk for systems relying on this authentication mechanism. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of authentication packets, specifically when handling oversized data payloads that exceed the allocated memory buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the axspawn.c source file where authentication packets are processed without proper bounds checking. When remote attackers send malformed packets containing excessive data, the application fails to validate the packet size against the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption typically affects the stack or heap structures, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate program execution flow through controlled data injection into critical memory regions. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses a severe threat to system integrity and availability as it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication credentials. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of Axspawn-pam, potentially escalating privileges and establishing persistent access. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to affect entire network infrastructures where authentication services are centralized, as successful exploitation could lead to widespread unauthorized access. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from external networks without requiring physical access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where authentication services are frequently exposed to external traffic.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Axspawn-pam version 0.2.1a or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to authentication services, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems with signatures specific to this vulnerability can help identify exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability assessments of authentication infrastructure components and implementation of automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates. The mitigation strategies align with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as the vulnerability enables unauthorized access through compromised authentication mechanisms.