CVE-2016-6254 in collectd
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the parse_packet function in network.c in collectd before 5.4.3 and 5.x before 5.5.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted network packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6254 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the collectd monitoring daemon's network packet processing functionality. This issue affects versions prior to 5.4.3 and 5.x prior to 5.5.2, making it a significant concern for system administrators responsible for network monitoring and data collection services. The vulnerability resides in the parse_packet function located within the network.c source file, which serves as the primary interface for handling incoming network traffic destined for the collectd daemon.
The technical flaw manifests when the collectd daemon processes malformed network packets through its parse_packet function, where insufficient input validation and bounds checking allow attackers to overflow heap-allocated buffers. This heap-based overflow occurs during the parsing of network packets, specifically when the daemon attempts to store or process data from external sources without adequate size verification. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices that fail to validate the length of incoming packet data against allocated buffer boundaries, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, presenting potential for remote code execution within the target system. Attackers can craft malicious network packets that trigger the buffer overflow condition, causing the collectd daemon to crash and potentially leading to system instability or complete service disruption. In more severe cases, successful exploitation could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the collectd daemon process, potentially compromising the entire monitoring infrastructure. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where collectd serves as a critical component for system monitoring and network analysis.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in heap memory allocations, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues in network daemon applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets a network service that accepts external connections, and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, since successful exploitation could enable command execution. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that collectd typically runs as a background service listening on network ports for incoming monitoring data, making it an attractive target for remote exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6254 should prioritize immediate patching of affected collectd versions to 5.4.3 or 5.5.2, whichever applies to the specific installation. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to collectd's network ports, limiting exposure to untrusted networks. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the daemon's network processing code would prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future deployments. Regular security audits of monitoring infrastructure and network services should be conducted to identify and remediate potential memory safety issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.