CVE-2005-3145 in sblim-sfcb
Summary
by MITRE
httpAdapter.c in sblim-sfcb before 0.9.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (resource consumption) by connecting to sblim-sfcb but not sending any data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3145 affects the sblim-sfcb software implementation, specifically within the httpAdapter.c component of versions prior to 0.9.2. This issue represents a classic resource exhaustion attack vector that exploits the server's handling of incoming connections without proper data validation or timeout mechanisms. The flaw allows remote attackers to establish TCP connections to the sblim-sfcb service while deliberately refraining from sending any actual data, creating a persistent connection state that consumes server resources indefinitely. This behavior directly violates standard network protocol implementations that typically establish connection timeouts or data validation checks to prevent such resource consumption attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate connection state management within the sblim-sfcb HTTP adapter module. When a client establishes a TCP connection to the service, the system creates a resource allocation for that connection but fails to implement proper timeout mechanisms or data validation checks. This allows malicious actors to maintain open connections without transmitting any meaningful data, effectively creating a resource drain that consumes memory, file descriptors, and other system resources. The flaw operates at the network protocol level and demonstrates poor adherence to secure coding practices for connection handling and resource management. According to CWE-400, this vulnerability maps directly to resource exhaustion conditions where the system fails to properly manage connection lifecycle states.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-3145 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromise the overall availability and stability of the sblim-sfcb service. As attackers can maintain multiple idle connections simultaneously, the resource consumption becomes exponential, leading to system instability, service degradation, or complete service unavailability. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that rely on sblim-sfcb for systems management and monitoring functions, where availability is critical for system administration and operations. The attack requires minimal resources from the attacker side, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed through simple network connection tools without sophisticated exploitation techniques. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service attacks, specifically targeting resource consumption as a method of system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3145 should focus on implementing proper connection timeout mechanisms and connection state management within the sblim-sfcb service. System administrators should upgrade to version 0.9.2 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper timeout implementation and connection handling. Network-level mitigations include implementing firewall rules to limit connection rates and establishing connection timeouts at the network infrastructure level. Additionally, monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual connection patterns that may indicate this attack vector. The fix typically involves adding proper timeout handling in the httpAdapter.c module to ensure that connections are automatically terminated after a predefined period of inactivity, preventing the accumulation of idle connections that consume system resources. Proper input validation and connection lifecycle management practices should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles.