CVE-2007-5580 in Security Agent
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in a certain driver in Cisco Security Agent 4.5.1 before 4.5.1.672, 5.0 before 5.0.0.225, 5.1 before 5.1.0.106, and 5.2 before 5.2.0.238 on Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted SMB packet in a TCP session on port (1) 139 or (2) 445.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5580 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Cisco Security Agent driver component that affects multiple versions of the security software across Windows platforms. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the SMB protocol handling functionality of the Cisco Security Agent, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes crafted SMB packets transmitted over TCP sessions on the standard Windows SMB ports 139 and 445, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of these ports for file sharing and network communication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow condition where the Cisco Security Agent driver fails to properly validate the length of incoming SMB packet data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level within the security agent driver, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and complete system compromise. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a privilege escalation technique using kernel-level exploits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to compromised systems and enables further lateral movement within networks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware payloads without requiring authentication or local access. The affected versions span multiple release lines of Cisco Security Agent, indicating this was a widespread issue that required patching across several major versions. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can initiate attacks from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that maintain exposed SMB services or have systems accessible via the internet.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cisco Security Agent versions to the latest available releases, which contain the necessary buffer overflow protections and input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit SMB service exposure, particularly on critical systems. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary SMB services, implementing network monitoring to detect unusual SMB traffic patterns, and maintaining regular security assessments to identify unpatched systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in security software components, as even defensive tools can contain exploitable flaws that undermine overall network security posture.