CVE-2015-0841 in libcapsinetwork
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in the readBuf function in listener.cpp in libcapsinetwork and monopd before 0.9.8, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long line.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0841 represents a classic off-by-one error that occurs within the readBuf function of the listener.cpp component in libcapsinetwork and monopd software versions prior to 098. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses improper handling of buffer boundaries. The issue manifests when processing network input where the software fails to properly validate the length of incoming data lines, creating a scenario where a malicious actor can exploit the boundary condition to trigger unexpected behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the buffer reading mechanism. When the readBuf function processes a line of data that exceeds the expected buffer size by exactly one byte, the off-by-one condition causes memory corruption or undefined behavior. This particular flaw affects the network listener component that handles incoming connections and data streams, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where remote exploitation is possible. The vulnerability does not require authentication or special privileges to exploit, as it operates at the network protocol level where the software processes incoming data from remote sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially lead to complete system instability and service disruption. Remote attackers can craft malicious input streams containing excessively long lines that trigger the buffer overflow condition, causing the affected software to crash and terminate unexpectedly. This disruption affects the availability of network services and can result in significant downtime for systems relying on libcapsinetwork or monopd for their network communication capabilities. The vulnerability affects systems where these components are deployed as network listeners or protocol handlers, particularly in environments where network traffic processing is critical to operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0841 should focus on immediate software updates and patches to versions 098 or later where the buffer boundary handling has been corrected. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider input validation measures at network boundaries to prevent malformed data from reaching the vulnerable components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, highlighting the importance of implementing proper input sanitization and boundary checking mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected software and ensure comprehensive patch management across all networked systems.