CVE-2005-0581 in License Software
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Computer Associates (CA) License Client and Server 0.1.0.15 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) certain long fields in the Checksum item in a GCR request, (2) a long IP address, hostname, or netmask values in a GCR request, (3) a long last parameter in a GETCONFIG packet, or (4) long values in a request with an invalid format.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0581 represents a critical security flaw affecting Computer Associates License Client and Server versions 0.1.0.15. This issue manifests as multiple buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited remotely to achieve arbitrary code execution. The affected components operate within software licensing infrastructure, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise systems. These buffer overflows occur during the processing of network requests, specifically within the Generic Client Request (GCR) protocol implementation and GETCONFIG packet handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves several distinct attack vectors that all stem from insufficient input validation and improper buffer management within the CA licensing software. The first vector involves excessively long fields within the Checksum item of GCR requests, where the software fails to properly bounds-check input data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. The second vector targets network address parameters including IP addresses, hostnames, and netmask values within GCR requests, where malformed or overly long network identifiers can overflow allocated memory buffers. The third vector exploits long last parameter values in GETCONFIG packets, while the fourth vector addresses improperly formatted requests containing excessive data in various fields. These vulnerabilities align with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflows, though the specific implementation appears to focus on stack-based exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0581 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical licensing infrastructure that may control software usage rights across enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing CA License Client and Server components face significant risk of unauthorized software access, potential system compromise, and possible lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from outside the network perimeter, making traditional network-based defenses insufficient for protection. Furthermore, the licensing infrastructure often operates with elevated privileges or contains sensitive information about software entitlements, increasing the potential damage from successful exploitation. This vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1203, which covers exploitation for execution, and T1071.004, covering application layer protocol traffic, as the attacks leverage legitimate network protocols to deliver malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0581 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Computer Associates, as the vendor likely released specific fixes for these buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate licensing servers from general network traffic, utilize network access controls to restrict communication to only necessary endpoints, and consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious GCR or GETCONFIG packet patterns. Input validation should be strengthened at network boundaries and within the application itself, particularly focusing on length restrictions for checksum fields, network identifiers, and parameter values. Additionally, system hardening measures including stack protection mechanisms, address space layout randomization, and disabling unnecessary network services can reduce the attack surface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other legacy software components that may be vulnerable to similar buffer overflow exploitation techniques. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in network services, particularly those handling untrusted data from external sources.