CVE-2012-10060 in Multi Server
Summary
by MITRE • 08/14/2025
Sysax Multi Server versions prior to 5.55 contain a stack-based buffer overflow in its SSH service. When a remote attacker supplies an overly long username during authentication, the server copies the input to a fixed-size stack buffer without proper bounds checking. This allows remote code execution under the context of the service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-10060 affects Sysax Multi Server versions prior to 5.55 and represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the Secure Shell service implementation. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The vulnerability manifests when the SSH service processes authentication requests containing excessively long usernames that exceed the predetermined buffer size allocated on the stack.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on the server's failure to implement proper input validation and bounds checking during the username processing phase of SSH authentication. When a remote attacker submits a username that surpasses the fixed-size stack buffer capacity, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the stack frame and overwriting critical program execution elements such as return addresses or function pointers. This memory corruption creates an exploitable condition that enables attackers to manipulate the program flow and execute arbitrary code within the privileges of the Sysax Multi Server service account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with a means to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of Sysax Multi Server. Since the service typically operates with elevated privileges, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges further, or use the compromised system as a launching point for lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects systems where SSH services are enabled and configured for user authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such services are commonly deployed for remote administration and file transfer operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-10060 primarily focus on immediate patching of the affected Sysax Multi Server installations to version 5.55 or later, which contains the necessary bounds checking fixes for the username input validation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of SSH services to trusted networks only, while monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous username lengths in authentication requests, as this represents a characteristic indicator of exploitation attempts against this specific vulnerability. The remediation aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation would involve legitimate authentication mechanisms being abused for code execution purposes.