CVE-2006-3492 in MICO
Summary
by MITRE
The CORBA::ORBInvokeRec::set_answer_invoke function in orb.cc in MICO (Mico Is CORBA) 2.3.12 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a message with an incorrect "object key", which triggers an assert error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3492 affects MICO (Mico Is CORBA) version 2.3.12 and earlier implementations, representing a critical denial of service weakness within the CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) middleware framework. This issue resides in the CORBA::ORBInvokeRec::set_answer_invoke function located in the orb.cc source file, where improper handling of malformed object keys leads to application instability and potential system crashes. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and error handling mechanisms that are essential for maintaining the integrity and availability of distributed applications built on CORBA standards.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a CORBA message containing an incorrect object key value that does not conform to expected formatting or validation criteria. When the MICO ORB processes this malformed message, the set_answer_invoke function encounters an assertion failure due to the improper object key handling, resulting in an immediate application crash. This assertion error represents a classic case of inadequate error recovery mechanisms, where the software fails to gracefully handle unexpected input conditions rather than implementing proper exception handling or input sanitization. The vulnerability specifically targets the CORBA object reference resolution process, which is fundamental to distributed object communication and represents a core component of the middleware's operational functionality.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for systems relying on MICO CORBA implementations, particularly those in mission-critical environments where availability is paramount. The denial of service condition can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible CORBA services. Network administrators and system operators face the challenge of maintaining service availability when attackers can deliberately crash CORBA applications through carefully crafted malicious messages. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks, as initial denial of service conditions can often precede more complex exploitation attempts. Organizations using MICO 2.3.12 or earlier versions may experience service interruptions, data processing delays, and increased operational overhead as they attempt to maintain system stability.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-617, which describes "Reachable Assertion" - a weakness where assertions can be triggered by external input, leading to program termination. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1499.004 technique for "Endpoint Denial of Service" through application or service failures. Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected MICO versions to 2.3.13 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for proper object key validation. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level filtering to restrict access to CORBA services, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for malformed CORBA messages, and establish robust application monitoring to detect and respond to service disruptions. System administrators should also consider implementing redundant CORBA service architectures and automated failover mechanisms to minimize impact from potential exploitation attempts. The fundamental lesson from this vulnerability underscores the critical importance of robust input validation and error handling in distributed middleware systems, particularly those handling remote communication protocols where external adversaries can influence system behavior through carefully crafted inputs.