CVE-2014-9377 in Ettercap
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the nbns_spoof function in plug-ins/nbns_spoof/nbns_spoof.c in Ettercap 0.8.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code via a large netbios packet.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2022
The CVE-2014-9377 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in Ettercap version 0.8.1 within the nbns_spoof plugin component. This vulnerability resides in the nbns_spoof.c source file and specifically affects the handling of NetBIOS Name Service packets during network traffic manipulation operations. The flaw occurs when Ettercap processes maliciously crafted netbios packets, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data exceeds the allocated heap buffer boundaries, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the nbns_spoof function. When Ettercap receives a netbios packet containing oversized data structures, the application fails to properly validate the packet size before attempting to copy the data into fixed-size heap buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows remote attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical program structures, function pointers, or return addresses. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through network traffic manipulation, making it accessible to attackers without requiring local system access or authentication.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network security infrastructure that relies on Ettercap for network monitoring, traffic analysis, or man-in-the-middle attacks. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems simply by sending malicious netbios packets to targets running vulnerable Ettercap instances. The potential impact includes complete system compromise, denial of service conditions that disrupt network operations, and unauthorized access to sensitive network information. Organizations using Ettercap for security auditing, penetration testing, or network monitoring activities face elevated risk profiles when systems are exposed to unpatched versions of this software.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classification and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 command and script interpreter for execution, T1068 local privilege escalation, and T1499 endpoint denial of service. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to newer Ettercap versions, network segmentation to isolate vulnerable systems, and deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious netbios traffic patterns. Additionally, network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary plugins and implementing strict input validation controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other network security tools. The incident highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices in network security applications to prevent exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.