CVE-2010-1316 in Server Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Tembria Server Monitor before 5.6.1 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) GET, (2) PUT, or (3) HEAD request, as demonstrated by a malformed GET request containing a long PATH_INFO to index.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1316 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in Tembria Server Monitor versions prior to 5.6.1, exposing systems to both denial of service and potential remote code execution threats. This vulnerability specifically affects the web server component that handles HTTP requests, creating a dangerous attack surface where malicious actors can exploit improperly validated input parameters. The flaw manifests when the server processes crafted HTTP requests containing excessive data in the PATH_INFO parameter, which is then processed without adequate bounds checking, leading to memory corruption on the stack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the server's failure to properly validate the length of incoming PATH_INFO data within HTTP GET, PUT, and HEAD requests. When a maliciously crafted request is sent to the vulnerable server, the application attempts to store the excessive input data on the stack without sufficient bounds checking mechanisms. This results in a classic stack buffer overflow where the excess data overwrites adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the stack frame and execution pointers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through multiple HTTP methods, increasing the attack surface and making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable full system compromise. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can cause the server daemon to crash, leading to denial of service that can disrupt legitimate business operations and potentially be used as part of larger attack campaigns. More critically, the vulnerability may allow remote code execution, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to the compromised system and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the running service. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on Tembria Server Monitor for their web infrastructure, as the attack can be performed remotely without requiring authentication or physical access to the system.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Tembria Server Monitor version 5.6.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious HTTP request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and length checking mechanisms at the application level can provide defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a technique that could be mapped to ATT&CK tactic TA0040 (defense evasion) and TA0001 (initial access) through remote exploitation methods. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other potentially affected components within the organization's infrastructure that might share similar design flaws.