CVE-2011-0994 in File Reporter
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in NFRAgent.exe in Novell File Reporter (NFR) before 1.0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified XML data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0994 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in Novell File Reporter's NFRAgent.exe component. This issue affects versions prior to 1.0.2 of the Novell File Reporter software, which is designed for monitoring and reporting on file system activities within enterprise environments. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the NFRAgent.exe process handles XML data inputs, creating a pathway for remote code execution that could be exploited by attackers positioned outside the network perimeter. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the XML parsing functionality of the agent component, which processes data from various sources including network connections and file imports.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This particular implementation flaw occurs during XML data processing when the NFRAgent.exe application fails to properly validate the length and structure of incoming XML payloads before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the overflow through network-based XML data transmission without requiring local system access or authentication credentials. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1203, which covers legitimate user execution paths that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Organizations utilizing Novell File Reporter versions prior to 1.0.2 face significant risk as attackers could potentially gain full control over affected systems, execute malicious code with elevated privileges, and establish persistent access points within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the agent's ability to process legitimate XML data from various sources including network monitoring systems, file synchronization tools, and automated reporting mechanisms that rely on XML-based communication protocols. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where normal operational activities could inadvertently trigger the exploit, making detection and mitigation more challenging for security teams.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0994 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to upgrade to Novell File Reporter version 1.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict unnecessary communication with the NFRAgent.exe process, particularly limiting access to XML data processing endpoints. Input validation controls should be strengthened at network boundaries to filter out malformed XML data that could trigger the vulnerability. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns in XML data processing activities and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications, particularly those handling external XML data inputs. The remediation approach should follow industry best practices for vulnerability management as outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-40 and ISO 27001, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the attack surface and proper validation of patch effectiveness.