CVE-2004-2003 in Delegate
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the ssl_prcert function in the SSLway filter (sslway.c) for DeleGate 8.9.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a certificate with a long (1) subject or (2) issuer name field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2003 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the DeleGate 8.9.2 and earlier versions of the SSLway filter component. This security weakness exists in the ssl_prcert function located within the sslway.c source file, where insufficient input validation permits attackers to exploit memory corruption through carefully crafted certificate data. The vulnerability specifically targets the subject and issuer name fields of X.509 certificates, creating a path for remote code execution that could be leveraged by malicious actors without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate bounds checking within the ssl_prcert function, which processes certificate information during SSL/TLS communication. When processing certificate subject or issuer name fields exceeding predetermined buffer limits, the function fails to properly validate input lengths, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution, potentially enabling full system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond allocated memory boundaries. The attack vector operates entirely over network communication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access or user interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a severe threat to the integrity and confidentiality of SSL/TLS communications handled by affected DeleGate servers. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, perform man-in-the-middle attacks, or establish persistent backdoors within network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core SSL processing functionality of DeleGate, potentially compromising all secure connections managed by the affected system. Organizations utilizing DeleGate for SSL proxying, load balancing, or secure communication services would face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where certificate validation is critical for security policies. This weakness could also facilitate broader network compromise when DeleGate serves as a gateway between internal and external systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2003 should prioritize immediate patching of affected DeleGate installations to version 8.9.3 or later, where the buffer overflow has been resolved through proper input validation and bounds checking. System administrators should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while also considering temporary disabling of SSL/TLS functionality until patches are deployed. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that certificate processing functions operate correctly without introducing new vulnerabilities. Organizations should also review their certificate management policies to ensure that only trusted certificates are processed by SSL/TLS proxies, implementing additional validation layers where possible. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in cryptographic processing components and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as successful exploitation could lead to execution of malicious code within the target system's memory space.