CVE-2011-0975 in Performance Assurance for Virtual Servers
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in BMC PATROL Agent Service Daemon for in Performance Analysis for Servers, Performance Assurance for Servers, and Performance Assurance for Virtual Servers 7.4.00 through 7.5.10; Performance Analyzer and Performance Predictor for Servers 7.4.00 through 7.5.10; and Capacity Management Essentials 1.2.00 (7.4.15) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted length value in a BGS_MULTIPLE_READS command to TCP port 6768.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0975 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting BMC PATROL Agent Service Daemon across multiple performance management products. This flaw exists within the processing of network commands sent to TCP port 6768, specifically when handling the BGS_MULTIPLE_READS command with a crafted length value. The vulnerability impacts versions 7.4.00 through 7.5.10 of Performance Analysis for Servers, Performance Assurance for Servers, and Performance Assurance for Virtual Servers, along with Performance Analyzer and Performance Predictor for Servers, and Capacity Management Essentials 1.2.00 (7.4.15). The buffer overflow occurs due to insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the daemon's command processing logic, creating a pathway for remote code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied data in the daemon's memory management. When the BMC PATROL Agent Service Daemon receives a BGS_MULTIPLE_READS command with an oversized length parameter, the application fails to validate the input against predetermined buffer boundaries. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack, potentially corrupting function return addresses and control flow information. The flaw manifests as a classic stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified under CWE-121 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent stack memory. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it a high-severity threat in networked environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running daemon process, typically running with elevated system permissions. This could result in full system takeover, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors within enterprise monitoring infrastructures. The affected systems often serve as critical monitoring points within IT environments, making successful exploitation particularly damaging as it could allow attackers to gain visibility into system performance metrics while simultaneously compromising the integrity of the monitoring infrastructure itself. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in enterprise environments where BMC PATROL agents are deployed across multiple servers and network segments, potentially enabling lateral movement and reconnaissance activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0975 should focus on immediate patch application and network segmentation. Organizations must prioritize updating to patched versions of BMC PATROL products, as vendors released security updates addressing this specific buffer overflow vulnerability. Network-level protections should include blocking access to TCP port 6768 from untrusted networks and implementing firewall rules to restrict communication to only authorized management systems. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed BGS_MULTIPLE_READS commands can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as exploitation typically involves executing malicious code through command injection vectors. Regular security assessments and network monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while system hardening measures such as disabling unnecessary services and implementing least privilege principles can reduce the overall attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns on port 6768 to detect potential exploitation activities.