CVE-2010-3984 in ARCserve Replication
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in mng_core_com.dll in CA XOsoft Replication r12.0 SP1 and r12.5 SP2 rollup, CA XOsoft High Availability r12.0 SP1 and r12.5 SP2 rollup, CA XOsoft Content Distribution r12.0 SP1 and r12.5 SP2 rollup, and CA ARCserve Replication and High Availability (RHA) r15.0 SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted create_session_bab operation in a SOAP request to xosoapapi.asmx.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3984 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the mng_core_com.dll component of several CA Technologies products including XOsoft Replication, High Availability, and Content Distribution suites. This flaw affects specific version combinations of the software and poses a significant security risk due to its remote exploitability. The vulnerability manifests through a crafted create_session_bab operation embedded within a SOAP request directed to the xosoapapi.asmx endpoint, creating a pathway for remote code execution that could be leveraged by malicious actors without authentication.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the mng_core_com.dll library, which processes incoming SOAP requests containing session creation parameters. When the system receives a specially crafted create_session_bab operation with excessive data input, the buffer allocated for processing this parameter becomes overrun, potentially corrupting adjacent memory locations and allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers stack-based buffer overflow scenarios that can lead to memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it could enable attackers to gain complete control over the affected systems running the vulnerable CA software. Attackers could potentially establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, access sensitive data, or use the compromised systems as launch points for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these products are commonly deployed.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the ATT&CK framework's execution and privilege escalation tactics, as it provides a direct pathway for attackers to execute malicious code and potentially move laterally within compromised networks. The vulnerability affects multiple CA Technologies products, suggesting a broader impact across different security domains including replication, high availability, and content distribution services. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by CA Technologies, implement network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitor for suspicious SOAP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management practices in enterprise software development, aligning with security best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-144 and ISO/IEC 27001 for secure software development lifecycle implementation.