CVE-2002-2368 in SOCKS5
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in NEC SOCKS5 1.0 r11 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long username to (1) the GetString function in proxy.c for the SOCKS5 module or (2) the HandleS4Connection function in proxy.c for the SOCKS4 module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2368 represents a critical security flaw in NEC SOCKS5 version 1.0 r11 and earlier implementations affecting both SOCKS4 and SOCKS5 protocols. This issue manifests through multiple buffer overflow conditions that occur when processing user input, specifically long usernames, within the proxy.c source file. The flaw exists in the GetString function for SOCKS5 module and the HandleS4Connection function for SOCKS4 module, creating a pathway for remote exploitation that can result in system compromise or denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and buffer management within the SOCKS proxy server software. When a remote attacker submits a username exceeding the allocated buffer size, the software fails to properly handle the overflow condition, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or crash the service. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and is classified as a remote code execution vulnerability that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate credential use and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of authentication requests, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered during normal network operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the potential for arbitrary code execution presents significant risks to network infrastructure and data security. Systems running affected NEC SOCKS proxy implementations become susceptible to unauthorized access and potential complete system compromise, especially when these services are exposed to untrusted networks. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on SOCKS proxy services for network traffic management and authentication, creating attack vectors that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to internal network resources. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2368 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-supplied updates or upgrades to newer versions of the NEC SOCKS proxy software. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected services to untrusted networks, while also monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify unusual patterns in proxy service usage and establish network monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software across their network infrastructure and ensure proper input validation is implemented in all proxy services to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing new operational issues.