CVE-2013-3606 in PowerConnect 3348
Summary
by MITRE
The login page in the GoAhead web server on Dell PowerConnect 3348 1.2.1.3, 3524p 2.0.0.48, and 5324 2.0.1.4 switches allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device outage) via a long username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-3606 represents a classic buffer overflow condition affecting the GoAhead web server implementation within Dell PowerConnect network switches. This issue specifically targets the authentication mechanism of the web interface, where the system fails to properly validate input length during username processing. The affected Dell PowerConnect models include the 3348 running firmware version 1.2.1.3, 3524p with version 2.0.0.48, and 5324 with version 2.0.1.4, all of which utilize the vulnerable GoAhead web server component. The flaw manifests when remote attackers submit excessively long username strings through the login page interface, triggering an improper handling of the input data that ultimately leads to device system instability.
The technical execution of this vulnerability follows a well-documented pattern of input validation failure that aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory regions. When the GoAhead web server processes the malformed username input, it fails to implement proper input length restrictions, causing the authentication subsystem to overflow its allocated buffer space. This overflow results in memory corruption that can cause the web server process to crash or the entire device to become unresponsive, effectively creating a denial of service condition that renders the network switch inaccessible to legitimate users and administrators. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web-based management interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access or local credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader network management challenges and potential security implications. Network administrators relying on these switches for critical infrastructure management face significant operational risks when this vulnerability is exploited, as the device outage can interrupt network monitoring, configuration management, and troubleshooting capabilities. The remote exploit nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can target these devices from anywhere on the network without requiring local access, making it particularly attractive for malicious actors seeking to disrupt network operations. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a critical weakness in network infrastructure security that can be exploited to create operational chaos within enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3606 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Dell to address the underlying GoAhead web server implementation. Organizations must conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected Dell PowerConnect switches within their network infrastructure and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of these management interfaces to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling web management interfaces where possible and relying on more secure management protocols such as SSH and SNMPv3 for device administration. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security assessments and firmware maintenance programs to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in network infrastructure components.