CVE-2004-2386 in sredird
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the LogMsg function in sercd before 2.3.1 and sredird 2.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers passed from the HandleCPCCommand function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2386 represents a critical format string vulnerability affecting the sercd and sredird services prior to specific version releases. This flaw exists within the LogMsg function implementation where user-supplied input from the HandleCPCCommand function is improperly processed without adequate sanitization or validation. The vulnerability manifests when the service receives formatted input that contains format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x which are then interpreted by the printf family of functions, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling where the LogMsg function directly incorporates user-controllable data into format string arguments without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. When the HandleCPCCommand function processes incoming commands, it passes parameters that contain format specifiers to LogMsg, which then uses these values in printf calls without first sanitizing them. This creates a classic format string vulnerability that can be exploited to read arbitrary memory locations, write to arbitrary memory addresses, or even execute arbitrary code on the target system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to network infrastructure services that rely on these components for logging and command processing. Attackers can exploit this condition to gain unauthorized code execution privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network without requiring local access or authentication. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and service disruption that could affect critical network operations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-134 which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities in software applications, and it maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations using affected versions of sercd and sredird should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing input validation controls, and applying network segmentation measures to limit exposure. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to sercd version 2.3.1 and sredird version 2.2.1 or later, which contain proper input sanitization mechanisms that prevent format string exploitation. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to further reduce exploit success rates.