CVE-2015-5185 in sblim-sfcb
Summary
by MITRE
The lookupProviders function in providerMgr.c in sblim-sfcb 1.3.4 and 1.3.18 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) via an empty className in a packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5185 affects the sblim-sfcb software version 1.3.4 and 1.3.18, specifically within the lookupProviders function located in providerMgr.c. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack against the system. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious packet containing an empty className parameter, which triggers a NULL pointer dereference within the application's memory management routines.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the lookupProviders function. When the function processes a packet with an empty className, it fails to properly handle the NULL or empty string condition before attempting to dereference a pointer that points to NULL. This programming error creates a scenario where the application attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly allocated or initialized, resulting in an application crash and subsequent denial of service. The flaw falls under the category of improper input validation and memory management issues, which are commonly classified as CWE-476 Null Pointer Dereference within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication or specialized privileges, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can affect the reliability and availability of systems that depend on sblim-sfcb for CIM (Common Information Model) operations. Organizations utilizing this software for system management and monitoring may experience unexpected service interruptions that can cascade into broader operational issues. The vulnerability particularly affects systems that rely on WBEM (Web-Based Enterprise Management) protocols for remote system management, as these systems may become unresponsive when attacked. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, as attackers only need to send a specially crafted packet with an empty className to trigger the application crash. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where the software operates in high-availability or mission-critical configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5185 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as the vendor has likely released updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement network-level controls to filter out malformed packets containing empty className parameters, which can serve as an additional defensive measure while awaiting official patches. The implementation of proper input validation mechanisms within the application code is essential, ensuring that all parameters are checked for null or empty values before any pointer dereference operations occur. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of service disruptions that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on packets matching the specific attack pattern associated with this vulnerability, aligning with the defensive strategies recommended in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for defending against remote code execution and denial of service attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within other components of the system that may present analogous weaknesses.