CVE-2005-0014 in ncpfs
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ncplogin in ncpfs before 2.2.6 allows remote malicious NetWare servers to execute arbitrary code on the NetWare client.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0014 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ncplogin component of the ncpfs package version 2.2.5 and earlier. This issue affects NetWare client systems that utilize the ncpfs filesystem driver to communicate with Novell NetWare servers. The ncpfs package serves as a client-side implementation that enables unix-like systems to access NetWare file services through the NetWare Core Protocol. The buffer overflow occurs during the authentication process when the ncplogin utility processes data received from NetWare servers, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized code execution privileges on vulnerable client systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the ncplogin utility's handling of network responses from NetWare servers. When a client connects to a malicious server, the server can craft specially formatted network packets that exceed the allocated buffer space within the ncplogin program. This buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses and control flow information. The flaw specifically aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically affecting the authentication and connection establishment phase of the NetWare Core Protocol implementation.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0014 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the ncplogin process, which typically runs with elevated permissions to facilitate network communications. This compromise allows for persistent access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within networks where NetWare clients are present. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no local user interaction, making it a true remote code execution flaw. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1210, which involves exploitation of remote services, and T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits. The attack surface is broad as any system configured to use ncpfs for NetWare connectivity becomes a potential target.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate patching of the ncpfs package to version 2.2.6 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections and input validation improvements. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to isolate NetWare client systems from untrusted networks, particularly those that might host malicious NetWare servers. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary NetWare client functionality, implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous authentication patterns, and establishing robust network access controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in network-facing applications, reinforcing security principles outlined in the OWASP Top 10 and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing ncpfs and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues from occurring in other network protocols and applications.