CVE-2006-2709 in C5 Enterprise Vulnerability Management
Summary
by MITRE
Secure Elements Class 5 AVR (aka C5 EVM) before 2.8.1 do not validate the source address of a message, which allows remote attackers to (1) execute arbitrary code on a client or (2) forge messages to the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2709 affects Secure Elements Class 5 AVR devices, specifically those running firmware versions prior to 281. This represents a critical security flaw in the communication protocol implementation where the system fails to validate the source address of incoming messages. The absence of proper source address validation creates a fundamental weakness in the device's authentication and integrity mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to exploit this gap for unauthorized system access and manipulation.
This vulnerability operates at the network protocol level and can be classified under CWE-20, which deals with improper input validation. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures by simply crafting messages with falsified source addresses. The impact is twofold as described in the vulnerability report, allowing for both arbitrary code execution on client systems and message forgery capabilities against server communications. This dual nature makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged for both offensive and defensive attacks within networked environments.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of the communication system. When source address validation is absent, legitimate security controls such as access control lists, firewall rules, and intrusion detection systems become ineffective since they cannot distinguish between genuine and forged communications. The vulnerability affects devices that likely operate in industrial control systems or embedded environments where security is paramount, making this a significant concern for critical infrastructure protection.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 sub-technique for application layer protocol and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. The ability to forge messages suggests that attackers could potentially manipulate system state, execute malicious commands, or perform man-in-the-middle attacks against the networked devices. The remote exploit capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the devices, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for distributed systems.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate firmware updates to version 2.8.1 or later, which should implement proper source address validation mechanisms. Network segmentation and additional layers of authentication should be implemented to reduce the attack surface. Device administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous message patterns or unauthorized source addresses. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and source authentication in embedded systems, reinforcing security principles that are fundamental to the defense-in-depth strategy recommended by NIST and other cybersecurity frameworks.