CVE-2012-2624 in HotScan
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Logica HotScan allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2624 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Logica HotScan software, a network scanning tool designed for identifying active hosts and services on networks. This vulnerability resides in the packet processing functionality of the application, where insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to craft specially formatted network packets that can trigger memory corruption issues. The flaw specifically affects the application's ability to handle incoming network data structures, particularly when processing malformed or oversized packet payloads that exceed the allocated stack buffer space. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when data written to a stack buffer exceeds its allocated bounds, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as remote attackers can exploit this weakness to cause application crashes and system instability. When a crafted packet is received by the vulnerable Logica HotScan instance, the buffer overflow condition results in unpredictable program behavior leading to application termination or system hang. This creates significant operational disruption for network administrators who rely on HotScan for routine network discovery and security assessment activities. The remote exploitation aspect means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where such scanning tools are commonly deployed. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which describes network service scanning activities that adversaries use to map network topology and identify potential targets.
Security implications of CVE-2012-2624 extend to broader network security operations where HotScan is deployed for vulnerability assessment and penetration testing activities. Organizations using this tool for legitimate security purposes may inadvertently expose their networks to exploitation if the vulnerability remains unpatched, as attackers can leverage this weakness to disrupt security operations. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices in network protocol handling, where the application fails to properly validate packet lengths and content before processing. This creates a risk that legitimate network traffic could be disrupted while simultaneously providing a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks that could leverage the crash conditions for additional exploitation techniques. Network defenders should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape assessment, particularly when evaluating the security posture of network scanning infrastructure and tools deployed in production environments. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying vendor-provided patches or updates that address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and memory management practices, ensuring that packet processing routines properly validate data boundaries before writing to stack buffers.