CVE-2007-0228 in Enterprise Security Analyzer
Summary
by MITRE
The DataCollector service in EIQ Networks Network Security Analyzer allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (service crash) via a (1) &CONNECTSERVER& (2) &ADDENTRY& (3) &FIN& (4) &START& (5) &LOGPATH& (6) &FWADELTA& (7) &FWALOG& (8) &SETSYNCHRONOUS& (9) &SETPRGFILE&, or (10) &SETREPLYPORT& string to TCP port 10618, which triggers a NULL pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0228 affects the DataCollector service component within EIQ Networks Network Security Analyzer, a network security monitoring solution designed to collect and analyze security events from various network devices. This particular flaw represents a critical denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication or specialized privileges. The vulnerability manifests through specific command sequences sent to TCP port 10618, which serves as the communication endpoint for the DataCollector service. The affected service processes these commands through a protocol that accepts various string parameters, each representing distinct operational functions within the security analyzer framework.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the DataCollector service implementation. When the service receives any of the specified command strings including &CONNECTSERVER, &ADDENTRY, &FIN, &START, &LOGPATH, &FWADELTA, &FWALOG, &SETSYNCHRONOUS, &SETPRGFILE, or &SETREPLYPORT, it attempts to process these parameters without proper null pointer checks. The vulnerability specifically triggers a NULL pointer dereference condition when the service encounters malformed or unexpected command sequences, causing the process to crash and terminate unexpectedly. This type of flaw falls under CWE-476 which defines NULL Pointer Dereference as a common software vulnerability pattern where a program attempts to access memory through a null pointer reference, leading to program termination and system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise network monitoring capabilities and security operations. When the DataCollector service crashes, it results in the loss of network security event data collection, creating gaps in security monitoring that could go unnoticed for extended periods. This disruption affects the overall integrity of the security analyzer system, as the DataCollector service is fundamental to the operation of the EIQ Network Security Analyzer. The vulnerability can be exploited by any remote attacker with access to the network and knowledge of the target system's configuration, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network security monitoring is critical for threat detection and incident response. Attackers can repeatedly exploit this vulnerability to maintain persistent service disruption, effectively rendering the security monitoring system ineffective.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the service disruption category, specifically targeting the availability of network monitoring services. Organizations using EIQ Networks Network Security Analyzer are particularly vulnerable to this attack vector as it requires no authentication and can be executed from any network location that can reach the target system on TCP port 10618. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and highlights the importance of implementing robust input validation and error handling mechanisms in network services. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability when conducting risk assessments for network security monitoring systems and implement appropriate network segmentation to limit exposure to unauthorized access. The most effective immediate mitigation involves applying vendor-provided patches or updates to the EIQ Network Security Analyzer software, while longer-term solutions should include network access controls and monitoring for anomalous traffic patterns on the affected port. Organizations should also implement redundant monitoring systems to ensure continuous security event collection even when individual components experience service disruption.