CVE-2010-5111 in Echoping
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in readline.c in Echoping 6.0.2 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted reply in the (1) TLS_readline or (2) SSL_readline function, related to the EchoPingHttps Smokeping probe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5111 represents a critical security flaw in Echoping 6.0.2 that affects the EchoPingHttps Smokeping probe implementation. This issue manifests through multiple buffer overflow conditions within the readline.c file, specifically impacting the TLS_readline and SSL_readline functions. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level where network responses are processed, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate the application's memory handling mechanisms. These buffer overflows occur when the application receives crafted replies that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to unpredictable application behavior and system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The flaw demonstrates characteristics of improper input validation where the application fails to properly sanitize or limit the size of incoming data before processing it through the readline functions. When remote attackers send specially crafted responses that contain oversized data payloads, the application's memory management becomes compromised, leading to potential memory corruption that can trigger application crashes or, in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically targets the secure communication protocols handling within the EchoPingHttps probe, making it particularly dangerous in environments where HTTPS monitoring and probing are critical.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-5111 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. The vulnerability affects the Smokeping probe functionality which is commonly used for network monitoring and performance testing, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to disrupt network operations or establish persistent access points. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through the HTTPS protocol stack where the application processes SSL/TLS communications, potentially compromising not only the monitoring system but also any network infrastructure relying on the affected probe for security assessments. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior authentication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of Echoping 6.0.2 to the latest available version that addresses these buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be applied to limit the impact if exploitation occurs, ensuring that the affected probe services operate with minimal required permissions. Network intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on oversized packets or malformed SSL/TLS responses that could indicate attempts to trigger the buffer overflow conditions. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the application code would prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future deployments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which describes Exploitation for Client Execution, emphasizing the need for both defensive measures and network monitoring to prevent successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other network monitoring and security tools that may be similarly affected by such memory corruption vulnerabilities.