CVE-2010-3036 in Ciscoworks Lan Management Solution
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the authentication functionality in the web-server module in Cisco CiscoWorks Common Services before 4.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a session on TCP port (1) 443 or (2) 1741, aka Bug ID CSCti41352.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3036 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Cisco CiscoWorks Common Services web-server module that affects versions prior to 4.0. This security weakness specifically targets the authentication functionality of the web interface, creating a pathway for remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability manifests through TCP ports 443 and 1741, which are commonly used for secure web communications and remote access respectively, making the attack surface particularly significant for network administrators and security professionals. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow vulnerability occurs within the web-server module's authentication handling mechanisms, where insufficient input validation and memory management practices allow maliciously crafted data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. When legitimate authentication requests are processed, the system fails to properly bounds-check user-supplied input, particularly session data and authentication tokens, enabling attackers to craft specially formatted requests that exceed allocated buffer sizes. This memory corruption allows attackers to overwrite critical program execution pointers, function return addresses, or other control data structures, ultimately enabling code execution at the privilege level of the web server process. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the standard web server protocols, making it particularly difficult to detect and mitigate through traditional network-based security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to establish persistent access to Cisco network infrastructure through the compromised CiscoWorks Common Services platform. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate network configurations, access sensitive data, perform man-in-the-middle attacks, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network perimeter. The fact that the vulnerability affects both TCP ports 443 and 1741 means that attackers can potentially exploit it through secure HTTPS connections or dedicated remote access ports, making detection more challenging and increasing the attack vectors available to threat actors. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1075 for use of legitimate credentials for persistence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3036 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to upgrade Cisco CiscoWorks Common Services to version 4.0 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the buffer overflow conditions. Network administrators should implement firewall rules to restrict access to TCP ports 443 and 1741 from untrusted networks, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious authentication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling unnecessary web-server functionality and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation practices in web applications, as these measures would have prevented the buffer overflow conditions that enable arbitrary code execution. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable services and ensure proper access controls are implemented throughout their network infrastructure.