CVE-2007-2443 in Kerberos
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in the gssrpc__svcauth_unix function in svc_auth_unix.c in the RPC library in MIT Kerberos 5 (krb5) 1.6.1 and earlier might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a negative length value.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2443 represents a critical integer signedness error within the gssrpc__svcauth_unix function of the RPC library in MIT Kerberos 5 version 1.6.1 and earlier. This flaw exists in the svc_auth_unix.c file and demonstrates a fundamental issue in how the system processes authentication requests, specifically when handling length values in RPC communication. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of signed integer values during authentication validation, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system.
The technical flaw manifests when the gssrpc__svcauth_unix function processes authentication data containing negative length values that are not properly validated or sanitized. This integer signedness error allows attackers to manipulate the length parameter in RPC requests, causing the system to interpret negative values as valid positive lengths. When the system attempts to process these malformed length values, it can lead to buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions that may be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability specifically affects the RPC authentication mechanism used by Kerberos 5, which is widely deployed in enterprise environments for secure authentication and authorization services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, particularly in environments where MIT Kerberos 5 is deployed for network authentication. Remote attackers who can submit crafted RPC requests with negative length values can potentially gain unauthorized access to systems protected by Kerberos authentication. This could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected service. The vulnerability affects not just individual systems but entire network infrastructures that rely on Kerberos for secure communication, making it a significant threat to enterprise security. Organizations using affected versions of Kerberos 5 may experience unauthorized access to sensitive data, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their networks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which identifies "Integer Overflow or Wraparound" as a common weakness in software systems, and it demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application," where attackers target vulnerabilities in network services. The security implications extend beyond immediate code execution to include potential privilege escalation and persistent access. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability does not require authentication to exploit and can be leveraged by remote attackers. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect anomalous RPC traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider implementing additional access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable services to untrusted networks.