CVE-2004-0987 in Yard Radius
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the process_menu function in yardradius 1.0.20 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0987 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the yardradius 1.0.20 software implementation. This issue specifically manifests in the process_menu function, which serves as a core component responsible for handling menu processing operations within the application's runtime environment. The buffer overflow vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and improper bounds checking mechanisms that fail to adequately constrain data flow into fixed-length memory buffers. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input sequences that exceed the allocated buffer space, thereby overwriting adjacent memory locations and potentially corrupting program execution flow. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers need not have local access to the system, allowing them to leverage network-based attacks to compromise target environments.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability aligns with common software security patterns that fall under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking permits memory corruption. The process_menu function's failure to properly validate input parameters creates an attack surface where crafted menu data can trigger the overflow condition. When the buffer overflow occurs, it can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information stored in the stack memory. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect program execution flow to malicious code locations, effectively achieving arbitrary code execution privileges. The vulnerability's severity classification stems from the fact that it operates entirely within the network context without requiring physical access or prior authentication.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Once an attacker successfully exploits the buffer overflow, they can gain unauthorized access to the affected system, potentially escalating privileges and establishing persistent access. The yardradius application likely serves as a network access server component that manages user authentication and authorization processes, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to compromise network security controls. The remote nature of the attack means that organizations with exposed yardradius services face immediate risk of unauthorized system access, particularly in environments where the service operates on standard network ports without proper network segmentation or access controls. This vulnerability can facilitate lateral movement within networks and may enable attackers to pivot to other systems within the organization's infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0987 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from the vendor, as this represents a known vulnerability with documented exploitation techniques. Organizations must implement network segmentation to limit access to yardradius services and ensure that only authorized systems can reach the vulnerable application. Input validation controls should be strengthened at all application interfaces to prevent malformed data from reaching the vulnerable process_menu function. Additionally, implementing address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous network traffic patterns. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual authentication patterns or network access attempts that may indicate exploitation activity. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions within the organization's broader software inventory, as this vulnerability pattern remains prevalent in legacy applications. Organizations should also consider migrating to modern authentication solutions that have been designed with security in mind and do not contain known buffer overflow vulnerabilities.