CVE-2011-4057 in CodeMeter Runtime
Summary
by MITRE
Wibu-Systems AG CodeMeter Runtime 4.30c, 4.10b, and possibly other versions before 4.40 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CodeMeter.exe crash) via certain crafted packets to TCP port 22350.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4057 affects the CodeMeter Runtime software produced by Wibu-Systems AG, specifically versions 4.30c and 4.10b, with potential impacts extending to other versions prior to 4.40. This security flaw manifests as a remote denial of service condition that can be triggered by sending specially crafted network packets to TCP port 22350, which is the default listening port for the CodeMeter service. The issue represents a critical weakness in the software's network protocol handling capabilities, where malformed packet structures cause the CodeMeter.exe process to crash and terminate unexpectedly.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the CodeMeter Runtime service when processing network communications. The software fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming data packets received on port 22350, allowing attackers to construct malicious payloads that exploit memory handling flaws in the service's network stack processing. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers buffer overflow vulnerabilities in heap-based memory structures. The flaw operates at the network protocol level where the service processes incoming connections and handles various command structures used for software licensing management.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on CodeMeter for software licensing management. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can potentially disrupt critical software licensing services without requiring local system access or authentication credentials. This denial of service condition can affect legitimate users who depend on licensed software, potentially causing business disruption and productivity loss. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to target the licensing service directly, which may be running on critical servers or workstations where software protection mechanisms are essential for business operations.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise to execute successfully. Attackers need only send specifically crafted packets to TCP port 22350, which typically operates as a service listening for licensing requests from software applications. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption since the CodeMeter service is often integral to software protection mechanisms, meaning that successful exploitation could potentially affect software functionality, licensing validation, and overall system security posture. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack frameworks such as those described in the MITRE ATT&CK matrix under the T1499 category for network denial of service attacks, where adversaries target network services to disrupt availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4057 should include immediate application of the vendor-provided security patch or update to version 4.40 or later, which addresses the input validation issues in the network processing components. Network-level defenses such as firewall rules can be implemented to restrict access to TCP port 22350, limiting exposure to unauthorized networks while maintaining legitimate service availability. Additionally, organizations should consider network segmentation to isolate systems running CodeMeter services and implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security updates should be maintained to prevent similar issues from arising in other components of the software ecosystem.