CVE-2012-0806 in Bip
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Bip 0.8.8 and earlier might allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving a series of TCP connections that triggers use of many open file descriptors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0806 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Bip versions 0.8.8 and earlier, which can be exploited by remotely authenticated attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability specifically manifests when a series of TCP connections are established that ultimately lead to the exhaustion of available file descriptors, creating a condition where the application's memory management becomes compromised. The flaw resides in how Bip handles multiple concurrent connections and manages its file descriptor table, creating a scenario where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overflow buffer structures and potentially overwrite critical memory segments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of improper resource management within the Bip application's network handling code. When numerous TCP connections are established in rapid succession, the application's internal buffer structures fail to properly validate the number of concurrent connections or manage file descriptor allocation. This leads to a condition where the application attempts to open more file descriptors than the system allows, causing existing buffers to overflow and potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code into memory locations that are subsequently executed. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents a fundamental flaw in memory management that has been a persistent issue in network applications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for systems running affected versions of Bip, as authenticated attackers who can establish TCP connections to the service can leverage this flaw to gain complete control over the affected system. The exploitation requires only authentication to the service, making it particularly dangerous in environments where access controls may be insufficient or where credentials are compromised. Once successfully exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Bip service account, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly concerning for networked environments.
The attack pattern associated with CVE-2012-0806 aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and scripting interpreter, as well as T1078 for valid accounts and T1105 for command and control communication. The exploitation process involves establishing multiple TCP connections to trigger the resource exhaustion condition, which then allows code execution through buffer overflow mechanisms. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper resource management and bounds checking in network applications, particularly those handling multiple concurrent connections. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Bip, implementing connection rate limiting, and monitoring for unusual connection patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, as well as regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other network services.