CVE-2010-5301 in Kolibri
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Kolibri 2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long URI in a HEAD request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5301 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Kolibri 2.0 web server software. This vulnerability manifests when the server processes HTTP HEAD requests containing excessively long Uniform Resource Identifiers that exceed the allocated buffer space on the stack. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly check the length of URI data before processing, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length stack buffer. This specific implementation flaw in Kolibri 2.0 demonstrates poor memory management practices and insufficient bounds checking during request processing, making it susceptible to exploitation by remote attackers who can craft malicious HTTP requests to compromise system integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to the underlying system through the exploitation of the buffer overflow condition. When a remote attacker sends a HEAD request with an overly long URI, the server's processing routine fails to validate the input length, allowing the overflow to occur and potentially overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical stack data. This condition aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter techniques that attackers often employ after gaining initial access. The successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5301 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. The primary and most effective mitigation involves applying the vendor-provided security patch or upgrading to a newer version of Kolibri that contains proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious HEAD requests with unusually long URIs. Additionally, security hardening measures including stack protection mechanisms, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack protections should be enabled to make exploitation more difficult even if the underlying vulnerability persists. Input validation should be implemented at multiple layers including the application level, network perimeter devices, and through proper configuration of the web server software to enforce maximum URI length limits. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for preventing buffer overflow vulnerabilities through proper memory management and input sanitization techniques.