CVE-2012-2606 in Network Sentry Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
The agent in Bradford Network Sentry before 5.3.3 does not require authentication for messages, which allows remote attackers to trigger the display of arbitrary text on a workstation via a crafted packet to UDP port 4567, as demonstrated by a replay attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2606 affects the Bradford Network Sentry agent software version 5.3.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in network monitoring and intrusion detection systems. This issue stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the agent's communication protocol, specifically on UDP port 4567 which serves as the primary interface for system notifications and alerts. The vulnerability manifests when the agent fails to validate the authenticity of incoming messages, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the system through unauthenticated packet transmission.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the agent's failure to implement proper message authentication procedures, allowing any remote attacker to craft and transmit specially formatted packets to the designated UDP port 4567 without requiring any credentials or authorization. This design flaw enables attackers to manipulate the agent's behavior by sending crafted messages that trigger arbitrary text display on targeted workstations. The vulnerability specifically enables what is known as a replay attack, where previously captured or fabricated messages are resent to the system to achieve unauthorized actions. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates over UDP, which is connectionless and lacks built-in security mechanisms, making it easier for attackers to exploit without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple text display manipulation, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the security architecture of the network monitoring system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to potentially disrupt normal system operations, confuse network administrators, or serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the monitoring system's user interface, potentially leading to false security alerts or complete system misrepresentation. From a cybersecurity perspective, this flaw undermines the trustworthiness of the agent's output and can compromise the effectiveness of network security monitoring. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-319 (CWE-319: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) categories, as it involves the transmission of unauthenticated messages over potentially insecure channels.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is significant, as it affects any workstation running the vulnerable Bradford Network Sentry agent and connected to a network where attackers can access UDP port 4567. Network reconnaissance activities can easily identify systems with this vulnerability, making it a prime target for automated exploitation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can use the display manipulation to create social engineering opportunities. The lack of authentication mechanisms also violates the principle of least privilege, as the system provides access to potentially sensitive functions without proper verification. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where network monitoring systems are critical to security operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2606 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch version 5.3.3 or later, which addresses the authentication requirements for messages received by the agent. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of UDP port 4567 to trusted networks only. Additional protective measures include implementing network intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious packet patterns, configuring firewalls to restrict UDP port 4567 access, and establishing proper network monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized message injection attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing message authentication codes or digital signatures for all system communications to prevent replay attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing proper authentication mechanisms for all network services, particularly those that directly interact with end-user systems. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of authentication mechanisms in network monitoring tools to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in the future.