CVE-2010-4326 in GroupWise
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in gwwww1.dll in GroupWise Internet Agent (GWIA) in Novell GroupWise before 8.02HP allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via variables in a VCALENDAR message, as demonstrated by a long (1) REQUEST-STATUS, (2) TZNAME, (3) COMMENT, or (4) RRULE variable in this message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4326 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the GroupWise Internet Agent component of Novell GroupWise software. This vulnerability specifically affects gwwww1.dll, which serves as a core component responsible for handling internet-based communication protocols including calendar data exchange through VCALENDAR messages. The flaw exists in versions of GroupWise prior to 8.02HP, making a substantial portion of the deployed user base susceptible to exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the VCALENDAR message processing functionality. When the GWIA component receives calendar data containing specially crafted long strings in specific fields such as REQUEST-STATUS, TZNAME, COMMENT, or RRULE variables, the software fails to properly bounds-check the incoming data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the application does not verify that the length of incoming data exceeds the allocated buffer capacity, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and directly enables remote code execution capabilities for attackers. An attacker can craft malicious VCALENDAR messages with excessively long values in the targeted fields and send them to a vulnerable GroupWise server. Upon processing these malformed messages, the buffer overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the GroupWise service account. This could lead to complete system compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive email and calendar data, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks where GroupWise servers are deployed.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a clear example of improper input validation in network services. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1059 for command and control through compromised systems. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to exploit and can be delivered through standard calendar sharing protocols, making it accessible to attackers with minimal privileges. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching to version 8.02HP or later, implement network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitor for anomalous calendar data processing patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, input sanitization measures and regular security assessments of internet-facing GroupWise components should be implemented as part of comprehensive security hygiene practices.