CVE-2010-4228 in NetWare
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in NWFTPD.NLM before 5.10.02 in the FTP server in Novell NetWare allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (abend) via a long DELE command, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-0625.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4228 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in the NWFTPD.NLM module of Novell NetWare's FTP server implementation. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 5.10.02 and demonstrates the classic characteristics of buffer overflow exploitation patterns that have plagued network services for decades. The flaw manifests when the FTP server processes a DELE command with an excessively long argument string, creating a condition where user-supplied data exceeds the allocated stack buffer space. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes more data to a stack buffer than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can establish a connection to the FTP service and subsequently send a maliciously crafted DELE command containing a buffer overflow payload. The attacker must have valid credentials to access the FTP server, which aligns with the authentication requirements specified in the vulnerability description. When the server processes this malformed command, the excessive data overflows the stack buffer and corrupts the execution context, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution or causing an application crash that results in a denial of service condition. This vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it can be leveraged by attackers who have gained legitimate access to the system through other means, or through credential compromise attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates multiple attack vectors that can severely compromise system availability and integrity. The ability to execute arbitrary code on a compromised system provides attackers with potential access to sensitive data, system resources, and network infrastructure. The denial of service aspect can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where continuous availability is critical for business operations. Organizations relying on Novell NetWare systems for their file transfer operations face substantial risk when running vulnerable versions of the FTP server. The vulnerability's classification as a stack-based buffer overflow places it within the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute commands on the compromised system through the overflowed execution context. The authentication requirement reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk, as compromised credentials can be used to exploit this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4228 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to upgrade to Novell NetWare version 5.10.02 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of FTP services to untrusted networks, reducing the potential attack surface for authenticated exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the FTP server implementation, as well as regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network services. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of DELE command usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security practices, particularly for legacy systems that may continue to operate in enterprise environments despite their age. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on potential buffer overflow exploitation attempts targeting FTP services.