CVE-2014-9381 in Ettercap
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in the dissector_cvs function in dissectors/ec_cvs.c in Ettercap 0.8.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted password, which triggers a large memory allocation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9381 represents a critical integer signedness error within the Ettercap network protocol dissector component. This flaw exists in the dissector_cvs function located in dissectors/ec_cvs.c within Ettercap version 0.8.1, making it a target for remote exploitation that can result in system instability and service disruption. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing crafted password data, demonstrating how seemingly benign network protocol parsing can become a vector for denial of service attacks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during protocol parsing operations. When a maliciously crafted password is processed by the dissector_cvs function, the signedness error causes the system to interpret a signed integer value as an unsigned value, leading to incorrect memory allocation calculations. This misinterpretation results in the system attempting to allocate an unexpectedly large amount of memory, which can overwhelm system resources and trigger a crash. The flaw falls under the category of CWE-191 Integer Underflow/Overflow, specifically manifesting as an integer signedness error that affects memory management operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9381 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential system stability risks within network monitoring and security analysis environments. Since Ettercap is commonly used for network traffic analysis and protocol inspection, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to disrupt network monitoring activities, potentially compromising security operations. The remote nature of the attack means that any system running Ettercap and processing network traffic could be affected, making it particularly dangerous in network security contexts where continuous monitoring is essential. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1498 technique for Network Denial of Service, as it enables adversaries to cause disruption through memory allocation manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Ettercap installations to version 0.8.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the integer signedness error. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Ettercap instances to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed password data packets can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer handling in protocol parsers and highlights the necessity of thorough code review processes, particularly for security-critical applications that process external network data. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify and remediate similar issues in other network analysis and security tools that may be susceptible to integer overflow and signedness errors.