CVE-2002-2300 in NBX
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ftpd 5.4 in 3Com NBX 4.0.17 or ftpd 5.4.2 in 3Com NBX 4.1.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long CEL command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2300 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ftpd service component of 3Com NBX voice messaging systems. This issue affects specific versions including ftpd 5.4 in 3Com NBX 4.0.17 and ftpd 5.4.2 in 3Com NBX 4.1.4, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing these telecommunications platforms. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes a specially crafted CEL command, which is a Common Event Logging format used for recording telephony events and system activities within the 3Com NBX environment.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation within the ftpd service implementation where the system fails to adequately check the length of incoming data during CEL command processing. When a remote attacker submits a command containing excessive data length, the application attempts to store this data in a fixed-size buffer without sufficient bounds checking. This classic buffer overflow condition allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to unpredictable system behavior and ultimately causing the ftpd service to crash. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely by any internet-connected attacker.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within the 3Com NBX ecosystem. The denial of service condition effectively renders the ftpd service unavailable, which could compromise voice messaging capabilities and telephony operations critical to business communications. Organizations relying on 3Com NBX systems for their telephony infrastructure may experience significant operational disruption, particularly in mission-critical environments where voice services are essential. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence, amplifying the risk to organizations with exposed network services.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes the classic stack-based buffer overflow condition, and represents a clear violation of the principle of input validation. The attack pattern follows typical MITRE ATT&CK framework techniques categorized under T1499 for endpoint denial of service, where adversaries leverage system vulnerabilities to disrupt service availability. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected systems, disabling unnecessary ftpd services where possible, and applying vendor-provided patches or firmware updates. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and proper input validation practices in telecommunications systems, particularly those handling voice and data communications in enterprise environments.