CVE-2010-4336 in collectd
Summary
by MITRE
The cu_rrd_create_file function (src/utils_rrdcreate.c) in collectd 4.x before 4.9.4 and before 4.10.2 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (assertion failure) via a packet with a timestamp whose value is 10 or less, as demonstrated by creating RRD files using the (1) RRDtool and (2) RRDCacheD plugins.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4336 represents a critical denial of service weakness in the collectd monitoring system, specifically affecting versions prior to 4.9.4 and 4.10.2. This issue manifests within the cu_rrd_create_file function located in the src/utils_rrdcreate.c source file, where the software fails to properly validate timestamp values during the creation of RRD files. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit this condition by sending specially crafted packets containing timestamps with values of ten or less, which triggers an assertion failure that ultimately results in system disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the RRD file creation process. When collectd processes incoming data through either the RRDtool or RRDCacheD plugins, it encounters timestamp values that fall below the acceptable threshold of eleven units. The cu_rrd_create_file function contains internal assertions that expect timestamp values to meet certain criteria, and when these conditions are not met, the assertion fails and terminates the process. This behavior constitutes a classic example of improper error handling and insufficient boundary checking, which aligns with CWE-248, or "Uncaught Exception," and CWE-129, "Improper Validation of Array Index."
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be leveraged by attackers to systematically degrade monitoring capabilities across systems relying on collectd for performance data collection. In environments where collectd serves as a critical component of infrastructure monitoring, such an attack could lead to significant operational challenges, including loss of visibility into system performance metrics, delayed incident response times, and potential cascading failures if monitoring systems are unable to detect or respond to actual system issues. The vulnerability affects both the RRDtool and RRDCacheD plugins, indicating a fundamental flaw in the timestamp validation logic that permeates multiple data processing pathways within the collectd framework.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of affected collectd installations to versions 4.9.4 or 4.10.2, which contain the necessary fixes to properly validate timestamp values and prevent assertion failures. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring to detect unusual packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider implementing rate limiting or filtering mechanisms at network boundaries to prevent malicious traffic from reaching vulnerable collectd instances. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and proper error handling in monitoring systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, "Network Denial of Service," and emphasizing the need for secure coding practices that prevent assertion failures in production systems. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential input validation weaknesses within their monitoring infrastructure, as similar patterns may exist in other components of their data collection pipelines.