CVE-2006-2967 in SafeNET
Summary
by MITRE
Syworks SafeNET allows local users to bypass restrictions on network resource consumption by editing the policy.dat file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2017
The Syworks SafeNET vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2967 represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of network resource management systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the policy.dat file which serves as the primary configuration mechanism for controlling network resource consumption limits within the SafeNET framework. The flaw enables local users to manipulate system behavior by directly modifying this policy file, thereby circumventing established restrictions designed to prevent excessive network resource utilization. Such bypass capabilities can lead to significant operational disruptions and potential denial of service conditions affecting legitimate network users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient file access controls and validation mechanisms within the SafeNET system. When local users possess the ability to edit the policy.dat file directly, they can modify resource allocation parameters, consumption thresholds, and access restrictions without proper authentication or authorization. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation and file integrity controls. The vulnerability manifests as a path traversal or file manipulation issue where the system fails to properly verify file modifications or enforce access controls on critical policy configuration files. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-276: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms for system-critical files and resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential network performance degradation and service availability issues. Local attackers who exploit this vulnerability can increase their network resource consumption beyond established limits, potentially causing bandwidth exhaustion, system resource starvation, or denial of service conditions for other legitimate users. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage system weaknesses to gain elevated privileges or bypass security controls. The vulnerability also relates to T1499: Endpoint Denial of Service, as malicious users could consume excessive resources and render network services unavailable to other users. Organizations relying on SafeNET for network resource management face significant risks including service degradation, unauthorized resource consumption, and potential data integrity issues.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2967 should focus on implementing robust file access controls and integrity monitoring mechanisms. System administrators must ensure that the policy.dat file and related configuration files are protected through proper file permissions, access control lists, and file integrity checking mechanisms. Regular monitoring of file modification events and implementation of automated alerting for unauthorized changes to critical policy files should be established. The solution involves restricting local user access to sensitive configuration files, implementing file integrity verification systems, and establishing proper change management procedures for policy modifications. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and resource monitoring to detect and prevent excessive consumption patterns that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Security hardening practices should include disabling unnecessary local file editing capabilities and ensuring that all policy changes are performed through authenticated administrative interfaces with proper audit logging.