CVE-2011-5096 in Aura Application Server 5300
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in cstore.exe in the Media Application Server (MAS) in Avaya Aura Application Server 5300 (formerly Nortel Media Application Server) 1.x before 1.0.2 and 2.0 before Patch Bundle 10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted cs_anams parameter in a CONTENT_STORE_ADMIN_REQ packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5096 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the cstore.exe component of Avaya Aura Application Server 5300, formerly known as Nortel Media Application Server. This flaw exists within the Media Application Server's administrative functionality and affects versions 1.x before 1.0.2 and 2.0 before Patch Bundle 10. The vulnerability specifically targets the CONTENT_STORE_ADMIN_REQ packet handling mechanism where the cs_anams parameter is processed without adequate bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the cstore.exe application, which processes administrative requests for content storage operations. When a maliciously crafted CONTENT_STORE_ADMIN_REQ packet containing an oversized cs_anams parameter is transmitted to the affected system, the application fails to properly validate the parameter length before copying it to a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected service account. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires network connectivity to the targeted Media Application Server, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative services are exposed to untrusted networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive telecommunications infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to the Media Application Server, potentially enabling them to manipulate media processing capabilities, access stored content, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other components within the Avaya Aura environment. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system and can exploit the vulnerability from anywhere on the network, making it particularly attractive for automated exploitation campaigns. Organizations using affected versions of the Avaya Aura Application Server face significant risk of unauthorized access to their telecommunications services and potentially sensitive customer data stored within the media application server infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5096 should prioritize immediate deployment of vendor-provided patches and updates, specifically the patch bundles mentioned in the vulnerability description for versions 1.0.2 and 2.0 Patch Bundle 10. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected service to trusted networks only, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual administrative traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a technique commonly associated with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains, specifically targeting application layer vulnerabilities that enable remote code execution in enterprise telecommunications systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for packets containing potentially malicious parameter values that could trigger the buffer overflow condition.