CVE-2014-3619 in GlusterFS
Summary
by MITRE
The __socket_proto_state_machine function in GlusterFS 3.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a "00000000" fragment header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3619 resides within the GlusterFS storage system version 3.5, specifically within the __socket_proto_state_machine function that governs network protocol state management. This flaw represents a critical denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes network fragments containing a specific "00000000" fragment header value, which triggers an abnormal state machine transition that leads to an infinite loop condition.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the socket protocol state machine implementation. When GlusterFS receives network packets with the malformed fragment header, the protocol state machine fails to properly handle this edge case and enters a loop where it continuously processes the same invalid state transition. This condition persists until the system resource exhaustion occurs, effectively rendering the storage service unavailable to legitimate users. The infinite loop represents a classic software bug pattern that can be classified under CWE-835, which specifically addresses infinite loops or iterations in software implementations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on GlusterFS for distributed storage solutions. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the infinite loop can consume substantial system resources including cpu cycles and memory, potentially affecting other services running on the same system. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks targeting storage systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the protocol state machine design where proper error handling and input validation mechanisms are missing. Organizations using GlusterFS 3.5 should immediately implement mitigations including patching to newer versions that contain fixed protocol state machine implementations, network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing rate limiting and connection throttling mechanisms can help reduce the impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust input validation and proper state machine design in distributed storage systems, particularly when handling network protocol data where malformed inputs can lead to system instability and availability issues.