CVE-2008-0975 in Double-Take
Summary
by MITRE
Double-Take 5.0.0.2865 and earlier, distributed under the HP StorageWorks Storage Mirroring name and other names, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a -1 value in the field that specifies the size of the vector<T> value.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0975 affects Double-Take 5.0.0.2865 and earlier versions, which are distributed under the HP StorageWorks Storage Mirroring brand and other naming conventions. This critical security flaw resides within the software's handling of vector<T> data structures, specifically in how it processes size parameters. The vulnerability manifests when a malicious actor sends a specially crafted -1 value in the field that specifies the size of the vector<T> value, creating a condition that leads to excessive CPU consumption and ultimately results in denial of service.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper bounds checking within the vector<T> implementation. When the system receives a -1 value as the size parameter, it typically represents an invalid or negative size that should be rejected or properly handled. However, in this case, the software fails to validate this input properly, allowing the negative value to propagate through the system's processing logic. This leads to a scenario where the application attempts to allocate memory or process data structures with invalid dimensions, causing the CPU to consume excessive resources as it handles the malformed input. The vector<T> data structure, which is commonly used in C++ applications for dynamic arrays, becomes vulnerable to this attack vector due to the absence of proper boundary checks and input sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to perform denial of service attacks against systems running affected versions of Double-Take software. The CPU consumption issue can lead to system instability, application crashes, and complete service unavailability for legitimate users. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where storage mirroring solutions are critical for data protection and business continuity. Attackers can exploit this weakness from remote locations without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt business operations. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on HP StorageWorks Storage Mirroring and similar storage replication solutions, potentially impacting critical infrastructure and data protection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate application of vendor patches or updates to versions that address the input validation issues within the vector<T> handling code. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks. Monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify unusual CPU consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which covers improper validation of array indices, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization and boundary checking mechanisms in custom code can prevent similar issues in other applications. Organizations should also consider deploying network-based firewalls and implementing rate limiting to prevent exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses in other systems and applications.