CVE-2013-3956 in Novell
Summary
by MITRE
The NICM.SYS kernel driver 3.1.11.0 in Novell Client 4.91 SP5 on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003; Novell Client 2 SP2 on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008; and Novell Client 2 SP3 on Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted 0x143B6B IOCTL call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3956 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Novell Client kernel driver NICM.SYS version 3.1.11.0. This issue affects multiple operating system versions including Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the driver's handling of IOCTL (Input/Output Control) requests, specifically the 0x143B6B command code that allows local attackers to manipulate kernel memory and elevate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The flaw exists due to insufficient validation of user-supplied data within the driver's dispatch routine, creating a path for malicious code execution in kernel space. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read errors, as the driver fails to properly validate the size and content of incoming IOCTL parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as local users who can execute code on the target system can leverage this flaw to achieve complete system compromise without requiring additional attack vectors or elevated privileges. Once exploited, attackers can gain unrestricted access to system resources, modify critical system files, install malicious software, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal prerequisites - only local access to the system is needed to exploit it, making it a prime target for both insider threats and attackers who have already gained initial access to a user account. The affected Novell Client versions represent widely deployed network client software in enterprise environments, increasing the potential attack surface significantly. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability corresponds to T1068, which covers 'Local Port Forwarding' and T1059, 'Command and Scripting Interpreter', as exploitation allows for command execution in kernel context and can be used to establish persistent access. The vulnerability also aligns with T1055, 'Process Injection', as the privilege escalation enables attackers to inject malicious code into system processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3956 should focus on immediate patching of affected Novell Client installations, as Novell released updates to address this specific vulnerability in subsequent service packs and versions. Organizations should implement the principle of least privilege and restrict local user access to systems where possible, as the vulnerability requires local access to exploit. System administrators should monitor for suspicious IOCTL activity patterns and implement kernel-mode driver protection mechanisms. The recommended approach includes disabling the affected NICM.SYS driver if it is not essential for network operations, as well as implementing strict access controls and user account management practices. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts through behavioral analysis of kernel-level activities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions of Novell Client, and patch management processes should be strengthened to ensure timely deployment of security updates. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of driver security reviews and the need for proper input validation in kernel-mode components, as the flaw demonstrates how insufficient parameter validation can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.