CVE-2012-2426 in xArrow
Summary
by MITRE
The server in xArrow before 3.4.1 does not properly allocate memory, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and daemon crash) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2426 affects the xArrow server software prior to version 3.4.1, representing a critical memory management flaw that exposes the system to remote denial of service attacks. This issue stems from improper memory allocation practices within the server component, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the software's handling of memory resources. The vulnerability specifically manifests through NULL pointer dereference conditions that lead to daemon crashes, effectively disrupting the availability of the service and compromising system uptime.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the server's failure to properly validate or initialize memory pointers during processing operations. When remote attackers submit specially crafted requests or data inputs, the server attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly allocated, resulting in NULL pointer dereference exceptions. This memory management error causes the daemon process to terminate unexpectedly, creating a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate users from accessing the service. The flaw operates at the core level of memory allocation and pointer handling, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication or privileged access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system availability and service reliability within environments that depend on xArrow server functionality. The remote attack vector means that adversaries can exploit the flaw from outside the network perimeter, potentially causing widespread disruption to services that rely on this software. The daemon crash resulting from the NULL pointer dereference creates immediate service interruption, requiring manual intervention to restore system functionality and potentially leading to extended downtime. Organizations utilizing affected versions face the risk of sustained denial of service conditions that can impact business operations and user access to critical services.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions in software implementations, and represents a classic example of improper memory management that violates fundamental security principles. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service attacks, as it enables adversaries to disrupt network services through remote exploitation. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it requires no specialized knowledge of the target system beyond the ability to send network requests to the vulnerable server. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to version 3.4.1 or later, while implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations may include deploying intrusion detection systems to identify anomalous traffic patterns and establishing robust incident response procedures to quickly address any exploitation attempts that may occur.