CVE-2016-3988 in IMS-LANTIME
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the NTP time-server interface on Meinberg IMS-LANTIME M3000, IMS-LANTIME M1000, IMS-LANTIME M500, LANTIME M900, LANTIME M600, LANTIME M400, LANTIME M300, LANTIME M200, LANTIME M100, SyncFire 1100, and LCES devices with firmware before 6.20.004 allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information, modify data, or cause a denial of service via a crafted parameter in a POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2019
The CVE-2016-3988 vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue affecting multiple Meinberg time synchronization devices within the IMS-LANTIME and LANTIME product lines. This vulnerability resides in the Network Time Protocol (NTP) time-server interface implementation across various hardware models including the M3000, M1000, M500, M900, M600, M400, M300, M200, M100, SyncFire 1100, and LCES devices. The flaw manifests when these devices process crafted parameters within HTTP POST requests, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by remote adversaries without requiring authentication. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the NTP interface code, allowing attackers to overflow stack memory buffers through specially crafted malformed data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental principle of buffer overflow attacks where attacker-controlled data exceeds the allocated memory space for a buffer variable. In this case, the buffer overflow occurs within the NTP server implementation's handling of HTTP POST request parameters, specifically when processing time synchronization data or configuration commands. The stack-based nature of the vulnerability means that the overflow corrupts the program's stack memory, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical stack variables. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized as a high-risk vulnerability due to its potential for arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The attack vector requires only network connectivity to the affected device's HTTP interface, making it particularly dangerous in unsecured network environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3988 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass data integrity compromise and potential system takeover. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to obtain sensitive information from the device's memory, modify critical time synchronization parameters, or cause complete system crashes through controlled buffer overflows. The time synchronization functionality of these devices is critical for network infrastructure operations, making the compromise of such systems particularly damaging to enterprise environments. In security frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications, privilege escalation, and denial of service through memory corruption. The affected devices typically operate in mission-critical environments where precise timekeeping is essential for logging, security auditing, and network coordination, making the potential for system disruption significant.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3988 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading affected devices to firmware version 6.20.004 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs to ensure all time synchronization infrastructure components receive timely security updates. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include implementing network access controls to restrict HTTP access to only authorized administrative interfaces, deploying intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed POST requests, and conducting regular security assessments of time synchronization infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and highlights the need for thorough input validation in network services that handle external data. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant time synchronization sources to minimize the impact of any single point of failure in their timekeeping infrastructure.