CVE-2014-0019 in socat
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in socat 1.3.0.0 through 1.7.2.2 and 2.0.0-b1 through 2.0.0-b6 allows local users to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a long server name in the PROXY-CONNECT address in the command line.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0019 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting socat versions ranging from 1.3.0.0 through 1.7.2.2 and 2.0.0-b1 through 2.0.0-b6. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the PROXY-CONNECT address parsing functionality, where the application fails to properly constrain the length of server names provided in command line arguments. The flaw manifests when socat processes a maliciously crafted server name that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack, leading to memory corruption that ultimately results in program termination through segmentation fault.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs during the command line argument processing phase when socat attempts to parse the PROXY-CONNECT address format. When an attacker provides an excessively long server name parameter, the application's buffer management mechanisms cannot accommodate the input, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software design where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack memory. The attack vector specifically targets local users who can manipulate the socat command line arguments, making this a local privilege escalation or denial of service vulnerability rather than a network-based attack.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0019 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the system environment and execution context. When the segmentation fault occurs, the affected socat process terminates abruptly, disrupting network connectivity services that depend on socat for proxy functionality. In environments where socat is used for critical network operations or as part of automated systems, this vulnerability can cause significant service interruptions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in scenarios where socat is executed with elevated privileges or in automated deployment scripts, as the denial of service could cascade into broader system availability issues. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1489 Disabling Security Tools, as it can be used to disrupt system services that rely on socat for network communication.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0019 require both immediate patching and operational hardening measures. The primary solution involves upgrading to socat versions that have been patched to address the buffer overflow, typically those beyond the affected version ranges mentioned in the CVE. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing input validation controls at the command line level, using tools such as shell command sanitization or application-level input filtering to prevent overly long parameters from being processed. Network segmentation and privilege separation practices can help limit the potential impact of exploitation, as can implementing monitoring solutions that detect unusual socat process termination patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in network utilities and highlights the need for regular security assessments of commonly used system tools to identify and remediate similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities.