CVE-2016-9051 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the batch transaction field parsing functionality of Aerospike Database Server 3.10.0.3. A specially crafted packet can cause an out-of-bounds write resulting in memory corruption which can lead to remote code execution. An attacker can simply connect to the port to trigger this vulnerability.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9051 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the Aerospike Database Server version 3.10.0.3 that fundamentally compromises the integrity of the application's memory management. This issue resides in the batch transaction field parsing functionality, which serves as a core component for processing multiple database operations in a single request. The flaw emerges when the server processes specially crafted network packets designed to exploit the boundary conditions of memory allocation during transaction parsing, creating a scenario where data is written beyond the allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its remote exploitability, as attackers can initiate the malicious payload simply by establishing a connection to the target server's listening port without requiring any authentication or privileged access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory boundary checking within the Aerospike server's protocol parsing layer. When processing batch transaction requests, the server fails to properly validate the size or structure of incoming data fields, allowing an attacker to craft packets that exceed the expected buffer limits. This memory corruption occurs during the parsing of transaction fields where the application assumes certain data lengths or structures that do not align with the actual received payload. The out-of-bounds write typically manifests as a memory overwrite that can corrupt adjacent memory locations, potentially affecting critical data structures, function pointers, or return addresses within the server's execution context. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, which is categorized under the broader weakness of improper input validation and memory safety issues.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9051 extends beyond simple memory corruption to potentially enable full remote code execution capabilities. When successful, the memory overwrite can be leveraged to manipulate program execution flow, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the Aerospike service account. This remote code execution capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for database servers that are accessible over networks, as it provides attackers with a direct path to compromise the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitability is further enhanced by the fact that no authentication is required to trigger the flaw, meaning that any network-connected system running the vulnerable Aerospike version is immediately at risk. The attack surface includes not only direct database access but also potential lateral movement opportunities if the database server hosts sensitive data or serves as a component in larger enterprise architectures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9051 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Aerospike server installations to the latest stable versions that contain the necessary memory boundary checks and input validation improvements. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict access to Aerospike server ports, particularly in environments where the database is exposed to untrusted networks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running Aerospike services with minimal required permissions and implementing strict firewall rules that limit connections to authorized clients only. Additionally, network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect unusual connection patterns or malformed packets that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application-level firewalls or proxies that can filter and validate incoming requests before they reach the Aerospike server, providing an additional layer of protection against protocol-level attacks. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1210: Exploitation of Remote Services indicates that this represents a common attack vector used by threat actors targeting database infrastructure, making comprehensive network security controls essential for protection.