CVE-2006-2708 in C5 Enterprise Vulnerability Management
Summary
by MITRE
Secure Elements Class 5 AVR client (aka C5 EVM) before 2.8.1 allows remote attackers to read portions of process memory via a modified size for (1) EM_GET_CE_PARAMETER and (2) EM_SET_CE_PARAMETER messages, which leads to a buffer overflow (probably an over-read).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2708 affects the Secure Elements Class 5 AVR client software, specifically targeting the C5 EVM implementation before version 2.8.1. This security flaw resides within the communication protocol handling of the device, where the software fails to properly validate input parameters during specific message processing operations. The affected system operates within the realm of secure element communication frameworks, where proper parameter validation is critical for maintaining system integrity and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the EM_GET_CE_PARAMETER and EM_SET_CE_PARAMETER message handlers. When remote attackers manipulate the size parameter in these specific communication messages, the software processes the malformed input without proper validation, resulting in a buffer over-read condition. This flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation and memory management, which aligns with CWE-121 and CWE-125 categories that address buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The vulnerability allows attackers to traverse memory boundaries and potentially extract sensitive information from the process memory space, including cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other confidential data stored within the application's memory segments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides remote attackers with a mechanism to gather intelligence about the target system's memory layout and internal data structures. This over-read capability can be particularly dangerous in secure element environments where confidentiality and integrity of cryptographic operations are paramount. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to reconstruct memory contents, identify system configurations, or even discover patterns that might aid in subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects the core communication protocol of the secure element, which could compromise the entire security framework of systems relying on this implementation for authentication and cryptographic operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms and proper bounds checking within the affected message handlers. System administrators should immediately upgrade to version 2.8.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer over-read conditions. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable system, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious communication patterns, and conducting thorough security assessments of all secure element implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques, where adversaries often exploit such memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Organizations should also consider implementing proper logging and monitoring of communication protocols to detect anomalous parameter values that might indicate exploitation attempts.