CVE-2011-4194 in Open Enterprise Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Novell iPrint Server in Novell Open Enterprise Server 2 (OES2) through SP3 on Linux allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted attributes-natural-language field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4194 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Novell iPrint Server component of Novell Open Enterprise Server 2 operating on Linux platforms. This security weakness affects versions through Service Pack 3 and exposes systems to remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of the attributes-natural-language field, which serves as a parameter in the iPrint server's communication protocols. The buffer overflow occurs when the server processes malformed input data in this particular field, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially gain unauthorized control over the affected system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow attack pattern where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption. When the iPrint server receives a crafted attributes-natural-language field containing excessive data, the application fails to properly bounds-check the input before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This allows attackers to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical memory structures within the server process. The flaw aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where data is copied into a buffer without proper size validation. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited over the network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to enterprise networks through the iPrint server. Organizations relying on Novell iPrint services for document management and printing operations face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where these servers serve as central points of access for print services. The vulnerability can facilitate lateral movement within networks, as iPrint servers often operate with elevated privileges and may be positioned to access sensitive resources. Attackers could leverage this weakness to deploy malware, establish backdoors, or conduct further reconnaissance activities against other network components. This threat scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script interpreter usage, as compromised systems could be used to execute malicious commands.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4194 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as Novell released security updates to address this specific buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate iPrint server components and restrict access to only trusted networks and users. Input validation controls should be enhanced at the application level, including implementing proper bounds checking for all user-supplied data. Monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns in print server communications, particularly around the attributes-natural-language parameter. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary print services and implementing network access controls to limit exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the critical nature of input validation in preventing buffer overflow exploits. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected iPrint server implementations and ensure proper security configurations are in place to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities.