CVE-2009-1628 in Business Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in mnet.exe in Unisys Business Information Server (BIS) 10 and 10.1 on Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted TCP packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1628 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the mnet.exe component of Unisys Business Information Server version 10 and 10.1 running on Windows platforms. This vulnerability resides in the network communication handling mechanisms of the BIS application, specifically within the mnet.exe process that manages network connections and data transmission. The flaw manifests when the application receives specially crafted TCP packets that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing a stack overflow condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the network packet processing routines of mnet.exe. When the application processes incoming TCP packets, it fails to properly bounds-check the data length against the allocated stack buffer space, allowing attackers to overflow the buffer and overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. This classic stack buffer overflow vulnerability falls under CWE-121 which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates over the network without requiring authentication, making it susceptible to exploitation by remote attackers who can craft malicious TCP packets to trigger the overflow condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected BIS server. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive business data, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The BIS platform typically handles critical business information processing and data management tasks, making the compromise of such systems particularly concerning from a business continuity and data protection perspective. The vulnerability affects organizations using Unisys BIS 10 and 10.1 versions, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments for business intelligence and information processing tasks. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target these systems from outside the network perimeter, significantly expanding the potential attack surface and reducing the effectiveness of traditional network security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1628 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of BIS servers to untrusted networks, particularly by blocking unnecessary TCP port access to the affected application. Network intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious TCP packet patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for comprehensive endpoint protection measures including application whitelisting and runtime application control. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected BIS versions and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. System hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary services, implementing address space layout randomization, and employing stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth layers against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that the implemented mitigations remain effective against evolving attack techniques.