CVE-2007-3116 in MaraDNS
Summary
by MITRE
Memory leak in server/MaraDNS.c in MaraDNS 1.2.12.06 and 1.3.05 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via unspecified vectors, a different set of affected versions than CVE-2007-3114 and CVE-2007-3115.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3116 represents a critical memory management flaw within the MaraDNS server implementation that specifically affects versions 1.2.12.06 and 1.3.05. This memory leak occurs within the server/MaraDNS.c component of the DNS server software, demonstrating a fundamental failure in resource handling that can be exploited remotely to consume system memory resources. The vulnerability is classified as a denial of service condition where attackers can systematically deplete available memory through unspecified attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where DNS services are critical for network operations.
The technical implementation of this memory leak stems from improper memory allocation and deallocation practices within the MaraDNS server codebase. When processing DNS queries or handling network traffic, the server fails to properly release allocated memory blocks, leading to gradual memory consumption over time. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses memory leaks in software implementations where allocated resources are not properly freed, creating a persistent resource drain that can eventually exhaust system memory. The flaw manifests as a progressive accumulation of memory usage that occurs with each processed request or connection attempt, making it difficult to detect through simple monitoring approaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to create potential system instability and cascading failures within network infrastructure. When a remote attacker successfully exploits this memory leak, they can cause the DNS server to consume increasing amounts of memory until system resources are exhausted, resulting in complete service unavailability. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on MaraDNS for critical network operations, as the denial of service can affect multiple services that depend on DNS resolution. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access or authentication credentials to initiate the memory consumption attack, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible DNS server deployments.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability fits within the ATT&CK framework's T1499.004 technique for "Endpoint Denial of Service" where adversaries target system resources to make services unavailable. The memory leak attack pattern represents a classic resource exhaustion attack that can be amplified through automated tools or sustained over time to maximize impact. Organizations should consider implementing memory monitoring solutions and setting up automatic restart mechanisms for DNS services to mitigate the effects of such attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability's specific version targeting suggests that proper patch management and version control processes are essential for maintaining secure DNS infrastructure. The distinction from related CVEs CVE-2007-3114 and CVE-2007-3115 indicates that this represents a unique memory management flaw that requires specific attention during security assessments and system hardening procedures.