CVE-2011-0430 in OpenAFS
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the Rx server process in OpenAFS 1.4.14, 1.4.12, 1.4.7, and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0430 represents a critical double free condition within the Rx server process of OpenAFS versions 1.4.14, 1.4.12, and 1.4.7, with potential impacts extending to other affected releases. This flaw resides in the remote execution server component responsible for handling network communications within the OpenAFS distributed file system architecture. The double free vulnerability occurs when the same memory block is deallocated twice, creating a scenario where subsequent memory operations may corrupt the heap structure or lead to unpredictable behavior in the application's memory management system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate the Rx server process through unspecified vectors that likely involve crafted network requests or malformed protocol messages. When the vulnerable code path is triggered, the double free condition creates opportunities for memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service. This represents a severe security flaw that directly contradicts the fundamental principles of memory safety and secure coding practices. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-415, which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management, and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious payloads through the compromised service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with potential code execution capabilities that could compromise the entire OpenAFS infrastructure. Organizations relying on OpenAFS for distributed file services face significant risks when systems remain unpatched, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain persistent access to shared resources, manipulate file system permissions, or escalate privileges within the network environment. The distributed nature of OpenAFS means that exploitation of this vulnerability could affect multiple networked systems simultaneously, making it particularly dangerous for large enterprise environments. The vulnerability's remote exploitability eliminates the need for local system access, significantly broadening the attack surface and increasing the potential for widespread compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0430 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to all affected OpenAFS versions, with particular attention to the specific Rx server components that handle network communication. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of OpenAFS services to untrusted networks, while monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust memory safety practices in network services, particularly those handling external communications. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their OpenAFS implementations to identify any potential additional vulnerabilities that may exist within the broader system architecture.