CVE-2007-1674 in Management Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Alert Service (aolnsrvr.exe) in LANDesk Management Suite 8.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted packet to port 65535/UDP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1674 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the LANDesk Management Suite 8.7 alert service component known as aolnsrvr.exe. This specific vulnerability exists within the network listening service that operates on UDP port 65535, making it accessible to remote attackers without authentication. The LANDesk Management Suite is widely deployed enterprise software used for systems management and monitoring across organizations, which amplifies the potential impact of this vulnerability. The flaw occurs when the alert service processes incoming UDP packets without proper bounds checking, allowing maliciously crafted data to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently identified as a primary attack vector in cybersecurity incidents. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the buffer overflow from any location on the network, eliminating the need for local access or physical presence.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending a specially crafted UDP packet to the designated port 65535, which causes the alert service process to write data beyond the allocated buffer space. When the stack-based buffer overflow occurs, it can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack variables, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect execution flow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides remote code execution capabilities, which can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network. Organizations using LANDesk Management Suite 8.7 are particularly at risk since the service typically runs with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to gain administrative access to managed systems. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper bounds checking in network services that handle external data. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the remote code execution to gain higher system privileges.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the LANDesk Management Suite to the latest available version that addresses the buffer overflow issue. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to UDP port 65535, particularly from untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual UDP packet patterns on this specific port can help detect potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider disabling the alert service if it is not actively required, as this reduces the attack surface. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of enterprise management tools, as these systems often contain critical services that are attractive targets for attackers. Organizations should maintain up-to-date inventories of all deployed management software and ensure that security patches are applied promptly. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices, including proper input validation, bounds checking, and memory management, particularly in network-facing services that handle untrusted data from external sources.