CVE-2014-0159 in OpenAFS
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the GetStatistics64 remote procedure call (RPC) in OpenAFS 1.4.8 before 1.6.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted statsVersion argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0159 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the OpenAFS distributed file system implementation. This issue specifically affects the GetStatistics64 remote procedure call within the authentication and file service framework, where the system fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking in the RPC handler, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the statsVersion argument to trigger memory corruption. OpenAFS version 1.4.8 through 1.6.6 inclusive remain susceptible to this flaw, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on these older versions for their distributed storage infrastructure.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow scenario where an attacker crafts a malicious statsVersion parameter that exceeds the allocated buffer space within the GetStatistics64 RPC handler. When the system processes this oversized argument without proper validation, it overwrites adjacent memory locations, leading to unpredictable behavior and ultimately causing the targeted service to crash. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The flaw operates at the application layer within the RPC communication stack, exploiting the trust model between authenticated clients and the OpenAFS server components.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0159 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire distributed file system infrastructure. A successful exploitation can result in denial of service conditions that affect file access, authentication services, and overall system availability for legitimate users. Organizations utilizing OpenAFS for critical data storage and sharing may experience significant operational downtime, particularly in environments where continuous access to distributed resources is essential. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers need not have physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where unauthorized access can occur from external networks. This flaw directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1499.1, which involves network denial of service attacks targeting system availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center around immediate patch deployment, as the OpenAFS development team released versions 1.6.7 and later that contain the necessary fixes. Organizations should prioritize updating their OpenAFS installations to versions that include proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls can provide temporary protection by limiting which systems can communicate with OpenAFS services, though this approach does not eliminate the underlying vulnerability. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous RPC traffic patterns may help identify exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves strengthening input validation routines within the GetStatistics64 RPC handler to ensure that statsVersion arguments do not exceed predetermined maximum lengths, thereby preventing the buffer overflow condition from occurring. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the distributed system architecture.