CVE-2005-1547 in Netvault
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the demo version of Bakbone Netvault, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a large packet to port 20031.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1547 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw affecting the demo version of Bakbone Netvault software and potentially other versions of the same product. This vulnerability resides within the network service listening on port 20031, which is commonly used for backup and recovery operations in enterprise environments. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle oversized data packets sent to the designated network port, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap allocation space.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the category of heap-based buffer overflows as classified by CWE-119, which specifically addresses memory safety issues related to buffer overflows in heap memory regions. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because heap memory management is complex and unpredictable compared to stack-based buffer overflows, making exploitation more sophisticated yet equally devastating. When a maliciously crafted packet containing excessive data is transmitted to port 20031, the application fails to validate the packet size against its allocated buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical program execution structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple service disruption, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be exploited by attackers without requiring local system access or authentication. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the exploitation of remote services to gain unauthorized access to systems. The vulnerability affects backup and recovery solutions that are often deployed in mission-critical environments, making the potential impact severe for organizations relying on these systems for data protection and disaster recovery operations. Attackers could potentially gain full control over the affected system, allowing them to execute arbitrary commands, modify data, or establish persistent access to the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to port 20031, and deploying network intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns targeting this specific port. Organizations should also consider disabling the demo version of Bakbone Netvault if it is not actively required, as the vulnerability exists specifically within this version. Network administrators should implement proper input validation and size checking mechanisms at the network boundary to prevent oversized packets from reaching vulnerable services, while also ensuring that all network services undergo regular security assessments to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that could be exploited in similar attack vectors.