CVE-2010-0551 in Geo++ GNCASTER
Summary
by MITRE
HTTP authentication implementation in Geo++ GNCASTER 1.4.0.7 and earlier allows remote attackers to read authentication headers of other users via a large request with an incorrect authentication attempt, which includes sensitive memory in the response. NOTE: this is referred to as a "memory leak" by some sources, but is better characterized as "memory disclosure."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0551 represents a critical memory disclosure flaw within the HTTP authentication implementation of Geo++ GNCASTER versions 1.4.0.7 and earlier. This issue stems from improper handling of authentication requests where the software fails to adequately sanitize or validate incoming authentication attempts, creating a pathway for unauthorized information extraction. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a remote attacker submits a large request containing an incorrect authentication attempt, which triggers the system to include sensitive memory contents in the response payload. This behavior constitutes a memory disclosure rather than a traditional memory leak, as the system unintentionally exposes previously allocated memory segments containing user authentication data and other sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted malformed HTTP request that exceeds normal authentication request size limits while maintaining invalid authentication credentials. When the GNCASTER software processes this oversized request, it fails to properly handle the boundary conditions of the authentication attempt, leading to memory corruption or improper memory management that results in sensitive data being inadvertently included in the HTTP response. The affected system's authentication headers and potentially other memory segments containing user session information become accessible to the attacker through this memory disclosure mechanism. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper error handling, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0551 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed authentication headers could contain credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive user data that could be leveraged for further attacks. Attackers could potentially use this information to impersonate legitimate users, gain unauthorized access to protected resources, or conduct credential stuffing attacks against other systems. The vulnerability affects the core authentication functionality of the GNCASTER software, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions. This type of memory disclosure vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can expose not only current authentication data but also historical session information, making it a significant concern for systems handling sensitive communications or user data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0551 should focus on immediate software updates to versions that properly handle oversized authentication requests and implement robust input validation. Organizations should deploy patches that correct the memory handling routines within the HTTP authentication module to prevent sensitive data from being included in error responses. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while also configuring firewalls to limit request sizes and implement rate limiting for authentication endpoints. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input validation in authentication systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through exploitation of authentication systems. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their authentication infrastructure to identify similar memory handling issues that could lead to information disclosure vulnerabilities.