CVE-2002-2294 in Raptor
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Symantec Raptor Firewall 6.5 and 6.5.3, Enterprise Firewall 6.5.2 and 7.0, VelociRaptor 500/700/1000 and 1100/1200/1300, and Gateway Security 5110/5200/5300 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (service termination) via (1) malformed RealAudio (rad) packets that are not properly handled by the RealAudio Proxy, or (2) crafted packets to the statistics service (statsd).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2294 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple Symantec network security products including Raptor Firewall, Enterprise Firewall, VelociRaptor, and Gateway Security systems. This issue stems from improper handling of network packets within the software's packet processing components, specifically impacting the RealAudio Proxy functionality and the statistics service daemon. The vulnerability affects versions 6.5 and 6.5.3 of Symantec Raptor Firewall, 6.5.2 and 7.0 of Enterprise Firewall, and various models of VelociRaptor and Gateway Security appliances. These products are widely deployed in enterprise environments for network traffic filtering and security monitoring, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on Symantec's security infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit buffer overflow conditions in different components of the Symantec security appliances. The first vector involves malformed RealAudio rad packets that are not properly validated or sanitized by the RealAudio Proxy component, which typically handles media streaming traffic. When these malformed packets are received, they trigger buffer overflow conditions that can cause the proxy service to crash or terminate unexpectedly. The second vector targets the statistics service daemon known as statsd, which processes network statistics and monitoring data. Crafted packets sent to this service can also trigger buffer overflow conditions, leading to service termination and denial of service. Both attack vectors leverage insufficient input validation and lack of proper bounds checking in the packet handling code, which are classic indicators of buffer overflow vulnerabilities classified under CWE-121.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-2294 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall security posture of affected networks. When the RealAudio Proxy crashes due to malformed packets, it can leave network monitoring gaps and potentially allow attackers to bypass security controls while the service is restarting. The termination of the statsd service creates additional vulnerabilities as network administrators lose access to critical monitoring data and statistics that are essential for detecting security incidents and network anomalies. Organizations using these Symantec appliances may experience intermittent service interruptions that can affect business operations, particularly in environments where continuous network monitoring is required. The vulnerability also represents a potential stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as the service termination can be used to disrupt network communications and create opportunities for further exploitation, aligning with tactics described in the attack phase of the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies focusing on network segmentation and access control measures. The most effective immediate solution involves filtering or blocking RealAudio traffic at network boundaries to prevent malformed packets from reaching vulnerable systems. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious packet patterns targeting the statsd service. Configuration changes to reduce the attack surface include disabling unnecessary services and ensuring that only authorized network segments can communicate with the affected appliances. Long-term remediation requires updating to patched versions of Symantec software, though this process must be carefully planned to avoid service disruptions during the upgrade. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security patch management and proper input validation in network security appliances, as specified in industry best practices for secure software development and network security operations.