CVE-2007-2964 in Policy Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The fsmsh.dll host module in F-Secure Policy Manager Server 7.00 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via NTFS reserved words in filenames in URLs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2964 resides within the fsmsh.dll host module of F-Secure Policy Manager Server version 7.00 and earlier systems. This flaw represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that exploits the server's handling of specific filename characters within Uniform Resource Locators. The issue manifests when remote attackers craft malicious URLs containing NTFS reserved words in filenames, which the server processes without adequate validation or sanitization. Such reserved words in the NTFS file system include but are not limited to CON, PRN, AUX, NUL, and various COM1-9 and LPT1-9 designations that are inherently restricted by Windows operating systems. The vulnerability stems from the server's failure to properly sanitize input parameters before processing them through the file system module, creating an exploitable condition where malformed URLs can trigger unexpected behavior in the application.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of URL structures to include NTFS reserved words within filename components, which then get processed by the fsmsh.dll module. When the Policy Manager Server encounters these specifically crafted URLs, the underlying file system operations fail to handle the reserved word characters appropriately, leading to application instability and eventual crash. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and more specifically with CWE-170, concerning improper handling of potentially dangerous input characters. The module's insufficient input validation creates a path where user-controllable data can directly influence the file system's operation, bypassing normal error handling mechanisms that would typically prevent such malformed inputs from causing system-wide failures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on F-Secure Policy Manager Server for security policy enforcement and management. The denial of service condition can disrupt critical security operations, potentially leaving systems vulnerable to other attacks during the downtime period. Security administrators may experience service interruptions that affect endpoint protection management, policy distribution, and overall security infrastructure monitoring capabilities. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can compromise the availability of security services that organizations depend upon for maintaining their defensive posture against cyber threats. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to create sustained disruption without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous in environments where continuous availability of security infrastructure is paramount. The vulnerability also reflects poorly on the overall security architecture of the system, as it demonstrates inadequate input sanitization practices that could potentially expose other components to similar issues.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to F-Secure Policy Manager Server versions that address this specific flaw, as well as implementing network-level restrictions that prevent malicious URL patterns from reaching the vulnerable server. System administrators should also consider implementing input validation rules at network boundaries to filter out URLs containing NTFS reserved words before they reach the affected module. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1566, which addresses malicious file execution through social engineering or direct exploitation. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of URL access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts and provide early warning of potential attacks. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation and sanitization practices, particularly for modules that interface directly with file system operations, and highlights the necessity of regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.