CVE-2008-0976 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 (NULL pointer dereference and daemon crash) via a malformed packet, as demonstrated by a packet of type (1) 0x2722 or (2) 0x272a.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0976 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 flaw resides within the network protocol handling mechanisms of the storage mirroring software, specifically exposing the system to remote exploitation through crafted network traffic. The vulnerability manifests as a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs when the software processes malformed network packets, leading to a complete daemon crash and subsequent denial of service for legitimate users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the packet processing routines of the Double-Take storage mirroring daemon. When the system receives network packets with specific type values of 0x2722 or 0x272a, the application fails to properly validate the packet structure before attempting to dereference pointers that may be NULL. This fundamental flaw in memory management and input sanitization creates a path for remote attackers to craft malicious packets that trigger the NULL pointer dereference exception, causing the daemon process to terminate unexpectedly. The vulnerability operates at the transport layer of the network stack, making it accessible to attackers who can reach the affected system over the network without requiring authentication or local access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, creating significant business continuity concerns for organizations relying on storage mirroring solutions. When the daemon crashes, all active storage replication sessions are terminated, potentially leading to data synchronization gaps and service interruptions that could affect critical business operations. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where storage systems often have broad network access. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service condition aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference flaws in software implementations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official vendor patches and updates to their Double-Take installations. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected storage mirroring services, limiting the attack surface and preventing unauthorized exploitation. The implementation of network intrusion detection systems can help identify and alert on the specific packet types associated with this vulnerability, providing early warning capabilities. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other storage management solutions within the environment. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and proper error handling in network services, principles that align with the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing remote code execution and denial of service conditions. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in functionality while maintaining the critical storage mirroring capabilities that organizations depend upon for data protection and business continuity.