CVE-2014-2830 in cifs-utils
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in cifskey.c or cifscreds.c in cifs-utils before 6.4, as used in pam_cifscreds, allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2830 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the cifs-utils package version 6.3 and earlier, specifically affecting the cifskey.c and cifscreds.c source files. This issue is particularly concerning as it resides within the authentication and credential management components of the Common Internet File System utilities, which are commonly utilized in Unix-like operating systems for connecting to Windows file shares. The vulnerability is embedded within the pam_cifscreds module, which serves as a Pluggable Authentication Module for handling CIFS credentials during user authentication processes. The flaw manifests when processing input data from remote sources, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout through crafted inputs that exceed the allocated stack buffer boundaries.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from improper bounds checking within the credential handling functions of the cifs-utils library. When the pam_cifscreds module processes authentication requests containing maliciously crafted credential data, it fails to validate the length of input parameters before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's impact is exacerbated by its location within the authentication module, which means successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The unspecified nature of the impact in the original description reflects the potential for various attack vectors and outcomes depending on the specific execution environment and system configuration.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2830 extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security of network authentication processes that rely on CIFS utilities. Systems utilizing pam_cifscreds for authentication purposes become vulnerable to remote exploitation, particularly in environments where users authenticate to Windows file servers through Unix systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to network resources, escalate privileges within the authentication framework, or potentially establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Unix-like systems including various Linux distributions and BSD variants that implement CIFS authentication through the affected modules. Organizations with distributed file systems or those utilizing cross-platform authentication mechanisms face heightened risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited from remote locations without requiring local system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2830 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to cifs-utils version 6.4 or later, which contains the necessary code modifications to prevent buffer overflow conditions in the credential handling functions. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems utilizing pam_cifscreds, particularly in environments where remote authentication is not strictly required. Additional protective measures include monitoring authentication logs for suspicious patterns, implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, and conducting regular security audits of authentication modules. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified under the broader category of memory safety issues in software development practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and initial access through authentication system exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where authentication integrity is paramount. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting the use of vulnerable authentication modules until proper patching can be completed across all affected systems.