CVE-2004-1860 in XMB
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Check Point SmartDashboard in Check Point NG AI R54 and R55 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (server disconnect) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a large filter on a column when using SmartView Tracker.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1860 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Check Point SmartDashboard software, specifically affecting Check Point NG AI R54 and R55 versions. This security weakness resides in the SmartView Tracker component, which serves as a crucial monitoring and analysis tool for network security policies. The flaw manifests when the system processes large filter expressions applied to columns within the SmartView Tracker interface, creating a condition where insufficient input validation allows malicious data to overflow allocated memory buffers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate boundary checking mechanisms within the SmartDashboard application's handling of user-supplied filter data. When an authenticated remote attacker submits a specially crafted filter with excessive data length to a column field, the application fails to properly validate the input size against allocated buffer boundaries. This fundamental flaw in input sanitization creates a predictable overflow condition that can be exploited to manipulate memory contents. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, leveraging the legitimate authentication mechanisms already in place, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privilege escalation beyond existing user credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, presenting potential for arbitrary code execution within the affected system's context. While the primary effect manifests as server disconnection and service disruption, the buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for attackers to inject and execute malicious code on the target system. This capability transforms what might initially appear as a denial of service vulnerability into a more severe threat vector capable of compromising system integrity and potentially establishing persistent access. The remote authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers need only valid credentials to the SmartDashboard interface to potentially gain system-level privileges, undermining the security model of the network protection infrastructure.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and script injection and T1499 for endpoint denial of service. The exploitation pathway demonstrates characteristics consistent with privilege escalation and remote code execution vectors, making it a significant concern for network security administrators. Organizations utilizing Check Point NG AI R54 and R55 systems face immediate risk of service disruption and potential system compromise, particularly in environments where the SmartView Tracker is actively used for policy monitoring and analysis. The vulnerability's presence in widely deployed enterprise security infrastructure highlights the critical importance of timely patch management and security updates for network protection systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1860 require immediate implementation of Check Point's official security patches and updates for affected versions. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring of SmartView Tracker usage patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider temporary restriction of filter functionality until proper patches are deployed. Access controls should be tightened to limit the number of authenticated users with SmartDashboard privileges, while regular security assessments should verify that no unauthorized modifications have occurred. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining current security patches for enterprise security infrastructure and demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can create significant security risks in critical network protection systems.