CVE-2014-3788 in Cogent DataHub
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the Web Server in Cogent Real-Time Systems Cogent DataHub before 7.3.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a negative value in the Content-Length field in a request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3788 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the web server component of Cogent DataHub software version 7.3.4 and earlier. This flaw exists in the handling of HTTP request processing where the web server fails to properly validate the Content-Length field value before using it to allocate memory for request processing. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a malicious actor submits a request containing a negative value in the Content-Length header field, which causes the application to allocate insufficient memory or potentially corrupt existing heap memory structures. This improper input validation creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to perform adequate bounds checking on the Content-Length field value. When the web server receives an HTTP request with a negative Content-Length value, the underlying memory allocation routine interprets this value incorrectly, leading to heap corruption that can be exploited through carefully crafted malicious requests. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software security where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This specific implementation flaw allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for industrial control systems and real-time data processing environments where Cogent DataHub is commonly deployed. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain full control of the affected system, potentially leading to disruption of critical operations, data manipulation, or unauthorized access to sensitive industrial processes. The vulnerability affects systems running Cogent DataHub versions prior to 7.3.5, which are widely used in manufacturing, energy, and other industrial sectors where operational technology (OT) systems require reliable and secure web server functionality.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Cogent DataHub version 7.3.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the web server component to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous Content-Length field values in HTTP requests. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for execution through command injection, making it particularly relevant for industrial cybersecurity frameworks. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious requests containing negative Content-Length values, as these systems provide additional defense-in-depth layers against exploitation attempts.