CVE-2007-2881 in Java System Web Proxy Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the SOCKS proxy support (sockd) in Sun Java Web Proxy Server before 4.0.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted packets during protocol negotiation.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2881 represents a critical security flaw in Sun Java Web Proxy Server's SOCKS proxy implementation that has significant implications for network infrastructure security. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 4.0.5 and specifically targets the sockd component responsible for handling SOCKS protocol negotiations. The flaw manifests as multiple stack-based buffer overflows that occur during the protocol negotiation phase when the proxy server processes incoming network packets from remote attackers. These buffer overflows create exploitable conditions that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the privileges of the proxy server process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. During SOCKS protocol negotiation, the proxy server receives packets containing authentication information and connection parameters that are processed without adequate validation of input lengths. When attackers craft malicious packets with oversized data fields, the insufficient buffer size validation causes data to overflow into adjacent stack memory, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures. This memory corruption can be systematically exploited to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential denial of service conditions. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the proxy server and potentially use it as a pivot point to attack internal network resources that are normally protected by firewall rules. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Java Web Proxy Server for network traffic filtering and access control, particularly those using SOCKS proxy functionality for secure remote access. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target network, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for publicly accessible proxy servers.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through patch management to upgrade to Sun Java Web Proxy Server version 4.0.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for these buffer overflow conditions. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to restrict access to the proxy server, configuring firewalls to limit SOCKS protocol access to trusted networks, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious protocol negotiation patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation, specifically T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling potential compromise scenarios, as the vulnerability can lead to complete system takeover and data exfiltration capabilities for attackers who successfully exploit it.