CVE-2005-2667 in Unicenter Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in Computer Associates (CA) Message Queuing (CAM / CAFT) 1.05, 1.07 before Build 220_13, and 1.11 before Build 29_13 allows attackers to cause a denial of service via unknown vectors, aka the "CAM TCP port vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2667 affects Computer Associates Message Queuing (CAM/CAFT) versions 1.05, 1.07 before Build 220_13, and 1.11 before Build 29_13, representing a critical denial of service weakness that impacts the core messaging infrastructure of the affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the TCP port handling mechanisms within the messaging queuing system, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to disrupt service availability. The issue falls under the category of unspecified attack vectors that exploit fundamental network communication protocols, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged without requiring extensive knowledge of the specific system internals. The vulnerability exists in the TCP port processing logic where the system fails to properly handle certain connection states or port configurations, leading to service disruption.
The technical flaw manifests in how the CAM/CAFT messaging queuing system manages TCP port communications, where specific input sequences or connection patterns can cause the system to enter an unstable state that results in complete service termination. This represents a classic denial of service condition where legitimate users cannot access the messaging services due to the system's inability to maintain proper TCP port functionality. The vulnerability likely stems from inadequate input validation or error handling within the network communication stack, potentially involving buffer overflows, improper state management, or race conditions in TCP port handling. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would be categorized under CWE-119 for memory safety issues or CWE-362 for race conditions, depending on the specific implementation details of the flaw. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it operates at the network protocol level, making it accessible to remote attackers who can exploit the vulnerability without requiring local system access or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire messaging infrastructure that relies on the affected CAM/CAFT components. Organizations utilizing these messaging queuing systems may experience complete loss of message processing capabilities, leading to cascading failures throughout dependent applications and services. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from outside the organization's network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where such messaging systems often serve as critical communication channels between different applications and services. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, where adversaries target network infrastructure to prevent legitimate users from accessing services. The impact on business operations can be severe, especially in mission-critical environments where message queuing systems handle financial transactions, healthcare communications, or other time-sensitive operations that require high availability and reliability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment from Computer Associates, which would likely involve fixing the TCP port handling logic and implementing proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to the affected TCP ports, particularly those used by CAM/CAFT messaging queuing services. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual TCP port behavior or connection patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit who can interact with the messaging queuing services, reducing the attack surface. The implementation of intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for TCP port anomalies and connection state irregularities can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems that might be running affected versions of CAM/CAFT and ensure that all instances are properly updated. Regular security audits of messaging infrastructure and network configurations should be performed to maintain defense in depth and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of the system.