CVE-2017-1083 in FreeBSD
Summary
by MITRE
In FreeBSD before 11.2-RELEASE, a stack guard-page is available but is disabled by default. This results in the possibility a poorly written process could be cause a stack overflow.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-1083 pertains to a critical security flaw in FreeBSD operating systems prior to version 11.2-RELEASE. This issue stems from the default configuration of stack guard pages, which serve as a crucial memory protection mechanism designed to prevent stack-based buffer overflow attacks. The stack guard page acts as a sentinel region of memory that, when properly configured, can detect and prevent unauthorized access to stack memory regions that could otherwise be exploited by malicious code. When this protection is disabled by default, it creates an exploitable condition where processes with poorly written code can inadvertently trigger stack overflow conditions that may lead to arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
The technical flaw manifests in the operating system's memory management implementation where the stack guard page protection mechanism is not enabled by default, leaving applications vulnerable to stack-based buffer overflow exploits. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the fundamental memory protection mechanisms that are essential for preventing common exploitation techniques. The stack guard page typically functions as a memory region that is marked as non-accessible, so when a buffer overflow occurs and overwrites the stack, the system will generate a segmentation fault or similar memory access violation before the overflow can be used to execute malicious code. However, when this protection is disabled, such violations are not properly detected, allowing attackers to potentially overwrite stack contents and redirect program execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual applications to affect the entire FreeBSD system security posture. When poorly written processes fail to properly manage stack memory, they become potential vectors for exploitation, especially in environments where multiple applications are running with varying levels of code quality and security awareness. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in server environments where applications may be exposed to untrusted input or where legacy code with known memory management issues continues to operate. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform stack-based buffer overflow attacks, potentially gaining unauthorized access to system resources, executing arbitrary code, or causing system instability that could lead to denial of service conditions.
From a security framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes Stack-based Buffer Overflow, and represents a failure in proper memory protection implementation that violates fundamental security principles. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1055, which covers Process Injection, as attackers could potentially use stack overflow conditions to inject malicious code into legitimate processes. The default disablement of stack guard pages represents a configuration weakness that violates the principle of least privilege and secure by default configurations that are essential for modern operating systems. Organizations running FreeBSD systems before 11.2-RELEASE should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version, enabling stack guard page protection, and conducting thorough code reviews to identify applications that may be vulnerable to stack-based buffer overflows.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include upgrading to FreeBSD 11.2-RELEASE or later versions where the stack guard page protection is properly enabled by default. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as enabling address space layout randomization, using stack canaries, and implementing proper code review processes to identify and fix buffer overflow vulnerabilities in applications. Organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious memory access patterns and ensure that all applications are regularly tested for memory safety issues. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the critical role that default security configurations play in protecting systems from exploitation, as the default state of the system should provide adequate protection against known attack vectors without requiring additional configuration from administrators.