CVE-2011-2200 in dbus
Summary
by MITRE
The _dbus_header_byteswap function in dbus-marshal-header.c in D-Bus (aka DBus) 1.2.x before 1.2.28, 1.4.x before 1.4.12, and 1.5.x before 1.5.4 does not properly handle a non-native byte order, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (connection loss), obtain potentially sensitive information, or conduct unspecified state-modification attacks via crafted messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2200 affects the D-Bus message bus system which serves as a communication framework for applications on Unix-like operating systems. This issue resides within the _dbus_header_byteswap function located in dbus-marshal-header.c, a critical component responsible for handling byte order conversions during message processing. The flaw specifically manifests when the system encounters non-native byte order scenarios, creating a significant security risk that extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable information disclosure and state modification attacks. D-Bus is extensively used in desktop environments, system services, and application communication frameworks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for widespread impact.
The technical implementation flaw stems from improper handling of byte order conversion logic within the D-Bus message header processing routine. When D-Bus receives messages with non-native byte ordering, the _dbus_header_byteswap function fails to correctly process these headers, leading to unpredictable behavior in the message handling pipeline. This improper byte order handling creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious messages that exploit the function's failure to validate or properly convert byte sequences. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to manipulate the internal state of the D-Bus daemon through carefully constructed messages that trigger the flawed byte swap logic, potentially causing connection termination or enabling information leakage through memory corruption patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability spans multiple security domains including availability, confidentiality, and integrity. Local attackers can leverage this weakness to cause denial of service conditions by forcing D-Bus connections to drop, effectively disrupting system communication services. More critically, the flaw enables potential information disclosure attacks where sensitive memory contents might be exposed through the improper byte handling. Additionally, the vulnerability supports unspecified state modification attacks that could allow attackers to manipulate the D-Bus daemon's internal state, potentially leading to privilege escalation or service manipulation. Given D-Bus's central role in system communication, exploitation could compromise the integrity of application interactions and system services that depend on reliable message passing.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-129 in the Common Weakness Enumeration, specifically addressing improper validation of byte order handling in data marshaling operations. The attack surface aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection through system services and T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. The local privilege escalation aspect connects to ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation through service manipulation. Organizations should prioritize patching affected versions of D-Bus, specifically upgrading from 1.2.x before 1.2.28, 1.4.x before 1.4.12, and 1.5.x before 1.5.4. System administrators should implement monitoring for unusual D-Bus connection patterns and consider restricting local access to D-Bus services where possible. The fix implemented in subsequent versions addresses the byte order validation and ensures proper handling of non-native byte sequences in message headers, preventing the exploitation vectors that led to this vulnerability.