CVE-2003-0291 in 3cp4144
Summary
by MITRE
3com OfficeConnect Remote 812 ADSL Router 1.1.7 does not properly clear memory from DHCP responses, which allows remote attackers to identify the contents of previous HTTP requests by sniffing DHCP packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2018
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2003-0291 affects the 3com OfficeConnect Remote 812 ADSL Router version 1.1.7, representing a critical security flaw in network infrastructure devices that impacts how the router handles memory management during DHCP communications. This issue stems from improper memory clearing practices within the router's DHCP response processing mechanisms, creating a persistent security risk that extends beyond the immediate network boundaries.
The technical flaw manifests when the router fails to adequately clear memory segments that contain sensitive data from previous HTTP requests. During normal DHCP operations, the router processes and responds to requests from client devices while maintaining certain memory structures that may retain remnants of previously processed data. When attackers can capture and analyze DHCP packets through network sniffing activities, they can extract cached information that should have been properly sanitized from memory. This memory leakage occurs because the router's implementation does not follow proper secure coding practices for memory management, particularly in handling dynamic memory allocation and deallocation processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to reconstruct sensitive data flows that were previously transmitted through the network. Network administrators and security professionals must consider that this vulnerability allows for passive data recovery through network monitoring tools, potentially exposing session tokens, authentication credentials, or other confidential information that was transmitted in prior HTTP communications. The attack vector relies on network sniffing capabilities, making it particularly concerning for environments where network traffic is not properly encrypted or secured at multiple layers. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-248, which addresses exposure of exception information, and CWE-119, which covers improper access to memory, both of which are fundamental security weaknesses that can lead to information disclosure and privilege escalation.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several ATT&CK framework techniques, particularly those related to credential access and reconnaissance activities. Attackers can leverage this flaw as part of broader reconnaissance efforts to gather intelligence about network communications and potentially identify vulnerable services or applications within the network. The vulnerability also demonstrates weaknesses in the principle of least privilege and proper data sanitization, as the router fails to ensure that sensitive information is completely removed from memory after processing. Organizations implementing network security measures must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat modeling activities, particularly in environments where network traffic monitoring is possible and where sensitive data flows through the affected network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from network administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining 3com OfficeConnect Remote 812 ADSL Router deployments. The most effective immediate solution involves applying firmware updates from 3com that properly address the memory clearing implementation in DHCP response processing. Network segmentation and proper encryption protocols should be implemented to reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized network sniffing activities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring systems that can detect unusual DHCP packet patterns and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure memory management practices in embedded systems and network devices, particularly those handling sensitive communications, and serves as a reminder of the critical need for proper secure coding standards in network infrastructure components.