CVE-2011-3996 in CSWorks
Summary
by MITRE
The LiveData Service in CSWorks before 2.0.4115.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (service crash) via crafted TCP packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The CVE-2011-3996 vulnerability affects the LiveData Service component within CSWorks software versions prior to 2.0.4115.1, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the service's handling of TCP packet inputs, creating a pathway for malicious actors to disrupt system operations without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The flaw exists in the network protocol processing logic where the service fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming TCP packets, leading to unexpected behavior when malformed or specially crafted packets are received.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the LiveData Service's network stack processing. When the service receives TCP packets that deviate from expected formats or contain maliciously constructed data, the application fails to handle these inputs gracefully, resulting in service instability and eventual crash. This represents a classic buffer over-read or improper input handling condition that falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically related to insufficient input validation. The vulnerability demonstrates a lack of proper error handling and robustness in network protocol parsing, where the service does not implement adequate defenses against malformed packet structures that could trigger memory corruption or resource exhaustion conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it creates opportunities for attackers to systematically target network infrastructure components running affected CSWorks versions. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to repeatedly crash the LiveData Service, potentially leading to extended downtime for critical monitoring or data collection operations. The service crash affects not only the immediate functionality but also impacts the broader system availability, as the LiveData Service may be integral to larger monitoring ecosystems or data processing pipelines. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1498 which involves network denial of service attacks, and can be categorized under the broader category of service disruption attacks that compromise system reliability and availability.
Organizations utilizing CSWorks software should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of the patched version 2.0.4115.1 or later, which incorporates proper input validation and robust error handling mechanisms. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual TCP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also considering network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks. The mitigation strategy should include regular security assessments of network services and proper patch management procedures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other system components. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems and network monitoring tools can help identify and respond to exploitation attempts before they result in service disruption, while also providing valuable forensic data for incident response activities.