CVE-2005-1471 in Authentication Agent for Web
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in RSA SecurID Web Agent 5, 5.2, and 5.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted chunked-encoding data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1471 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting RSA SecurID Web Agent versions 5, 5.2, and 5.3. This flaw resides in the web agent's handling of HTTP chunked transfer encoding, a standard method for transmitting data in multiple parts over HTTP connections. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the chunked-encoding parser, creating a condition where maliciously crafted data can overflow allocated memory buffers on the heap. The affected software components process incoming HTTP requests that utilize chunked transfer encoding, which is commonly employed in web applications to handle large data transfers efficiently. When the web agent encounters specially crafted chunked data, the parsing routine fails to properly validate the length specifications or buffer boundaries, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with controlled data. This memory corruption directly enables arbitrary code execution, as attackers can manipulate the program flow by overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical execution metadata within the heap memory layout.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires remote attackers to send specifically crafted HTTP requests containing malformed chunked-encoding data to the vulnerable RSA SecurID Web Agent service. The attack vector operates entirely over the network without requiring authentication or local access, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that memory corruption occurs in the heap memory space rather than the stack, which can be more difficult to predict and exploit reliably. Attackers typically craft payloads that include oversized chunk sizes or malformed chunk headers that cause the parser to allocate insufficient buffer space while simultaneously writing more data than can be accommodated. This creates a condition where the overflow extends into adjacent heap memory regions, potentially corrupting other data structures or executable code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues in network service applications. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that chunked transfer encoding is a legitimate and widely used HTTP feature, making the attack less likely to be detected by standard network monitoring systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1471 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. When successfully exploited, attackers can gain full control over the affected web server running the RSA SecurID Web Agent, potentially enabling them to access sensitive authentication data, modify security configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects organizations using RSA SecurID authentication solutions, which are widely deployed for two-factor authentication in enterprise environments, making the impact particularly severe for security-sensitive organizations. The compromised authentication system could allow attackers to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to protected resources, potentially leading to broader network infiltration. Organizations may experience service disruption as the vulnerable web agent becomes unstable or crashes under exploitation attempts, while the security implications extend to potential credential theft and unauthorized access to privileged systems. The vulnerability also impacts compliance with security standards such as those defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, as it creates a significant weakness in the authentication infrastructure. Additionally, the attack scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can execute arbitrary code to establish persistent access, and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, where compromised authentication systems can be used to maintain access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1471 primarily focus on immediate patching and configuration hardening. Organizations should immediately upgrade to RSA SecurID Web Agent versions that contain the necessary security fixes, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. System administrators should implement network-level controls to monitor and filter HTTP traffic for suspicious chunked-encoding patterns, though this approach may not prevent all exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in web application development, emphasizing the need for rigorous code review processes and static analysis tools. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable web agents to untrusted networks. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems running older versions of the RSA SecurID Web Agent software. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring procedures. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications and services. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on anomalous HTTP chunked-encoding patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices and the importance of robust input validation in network services to prevent memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution.