CVE-2011-0454 in SEIL-X1
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the PPP Access Concentrator (PPPAC) on the SEIL/x86 with firmware 1.00 through 1.61, SEIL/B1 with firmware 1.00 through 3.11, SEIL/X1 with firmware 1.00 through 3.11, SEIL/X2 with firmware 1.00 through 3.11, SEIL/Turbo with firmware 1.80 through 2.10, and SEIL/neu 2FE Plus with firmware 1.80 through 2.10 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PPPoE packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-0454 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the PPP Access Concentrator component of various SEIL network devices. This issue affects multiple hardware platforms including SEIL/x86, SEIL/B1, SEIL/X1, SEIL/X2, SEIL/Turbo, and SEIL/neu 2FE Plus devices, all running specific firmware versions ranging from 1.00 through 2.10. The vulnerability specifically resides in the processing of PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet) packets, which are fundamental to establishing and maintaining internet connections through broadband access technologies. The buffer overflow occurs when the system fails to properly validate the length of incoming PPPoE packets, allowing maliciously crafted data to exceed the allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory regions. This flaw falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability presents a significant remote execution risk as attackers can exploit this issue from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or authentication credentials. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, persistent backdoor installation, and unauthorized network access. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could gain administrative control over affected devices, potentially using them as launch points for further attacks against internal network infrastructure. The PPPoE protocol is widely used in residential and small business broadband deployments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it affects common networking equipment that serves as the primary gateway for internet connectivity. From an attack methodology perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through remote access tools, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The affected hardware platforms represent a substantial portion of legacy broadband access equipment, indicating that organizations with older network infrastructure may be particularly vulnerable. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only the ability to send specially crafted PPPoE packets to the target device, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. Network administrators should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security assessment, particularly in environments where legacy network equipment remains operational. The firmware versions affected span multiple generations of SEIL hardware, suggesting that the buffer overflow was likely introduced in early firmware releases and persisted across numerous updates without proper mitigation. Organizations should prioritize immediate firmware updates to address this vulnerability, as the risk of exploitation increases with the prevalence of automated scanning tools targeting known vulnerabilities. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential data exfiltration, service disruption, and unauthorized access to connected networks. Security professionals should implement network monitoring to detect unusual PPPoE traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also reviewing access controls and network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement if compromise occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in network infrastructure devices, particularly regarding input validation and memory management. The affected devices typically operate in unattended environments, making the potential for persistent compromise more significant as attackers could establish long-term access without detection. This vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining security in legacy network infrastructure, where vendors may no longer provide support or security updates for older hardware generations. The buffer overflow in PPPAC processing represents a fundamental design flaw that could have been prevented through proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and develop remediation plans that consider both immediate patching and long-term infrastructure modernization strategies. The widespread nature of this vulnerability across multiple SEIL platforms indicates that similar issues may exist in other network equipment from the same vendor or similar hardware architectures, warranting broader security assessments. The potential for this vulnerability to be weaponized in targeted attacks against specific organizations makes it a significant concern for security operations centers and incident response teams.