CVE-2013-2968 in Sterling Control Center
Summary
by MITRE
An unspecified buffer-read method in IBM Sterling Control Center (SCC) 5.2 before 5.2.0.9, 5.3 before 5.3.0.4, and 5.4 through 5.4.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service via a large file that lacks end-of-line characters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2968 affects IBM Sterling Control Center versions 5.2 before 5.2.0.9, 5.3 before 5.3.0.4, and 5.4 through 5.4.0.1, representing a critical security flaw in the software's file processing capabilities. This issue manifests through an unspecified buffer-read method that becomes compromised when handling large files without end-of-line characters, creating a potential avenue for denial of service attacks that can significantly impact system availability and operational continuity.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and buffer management within the IBM Sterling Control Center's file handling mechanisms. When the system processes large files lacking proper end-of-line character termination, the buffer-read method fails to properly manage memory allocation and data processing, leading to system instability. This vulnerability operates under the weakness category of buffer overflow or buffer read errors, specifically aligning with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of the length of input data. The absence of proper end-of-line character handling creates a condition where the system's memory management routines become overwhelmed, potentially causing the application to crash or become unresponsive.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system downtime, as it can disrupt critical business processes that rely on IBM Sterling Control Center for transaction processing and data management. Remote authenticated users can exploit this weakness to cause denial of service conditions, effectively preventing legitimate users from accessing the system or performing essential operations. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where the Sterling Control Center manages high-volume transaction processing, as the denial of service can cascade into broader operational disruptions. The attack vector requires only authenticated access, making it more accessible than some other vulnerabilities that require additional privileges or complex exploitation techniques, though it still requires legitimate user credentials to execute successfully.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of IBM's security patches and updates specifically designed to address the buffer-read method issue. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive logging of file operations for forensic analysis. The mitigation strategy should include regular security assessments of the Sterling Control Center environment, proper access controls to limit authentication privileges, and implementation of network segmentation to contain potential exploitation impacts. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and conducting thorough input validation, particularly when processing large data sets or files with variable formatting, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for resource hijacking through denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as file integrity monitoring and automated patch management systems to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future, ensuring that all system components maintain current security configurations and that proper change management procedures are followed to minimize risk exposure.