CVE-2017-11698 in Network Security Services
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the __get_page function in lib/dbm/src/h_page.c in Mozilla Network Security Services (NSS) allows context-dependent attackers to have unspecified impact using a crafted cert8.db file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11698 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the Network Security Services (NSS) library, specifically in the __get_page function located in lib/dbm/src/h_page.c. This flaw exists within Mozilla's security infrastructure that is widely deployed across various applications and operating systems for cryptographic operations and certificate management. The vulnerability manifests when processing a specially crafted cert8.db file, which serves as the primary database file for storing SSL/TLS certificates and security-related information within NSS-enabled applications. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of certificate data structures, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory regions in the heap allocation space.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the database management component of NSS. When the __get_page function processes certificate entries from the cert8.db file, it fails to validate the size of incoming data against allocated buffer boundaries. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious certificate database that, when processed by NSS, triggers the overflow condition. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that the overflow affects dynamically allocated memory regions, potentially leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. The context-dependent nature of the attack implies that successful exploitation requires specific conditions related to the target environment and the manner in which NSS processes the certificate database file.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11698 extends across numerous security-sensitive applications that rely on NSS for cryptographic operations, including web browsers like Firefox, email clients, and various enterprise security tools. This vulnerability can be exploited to compromise the integrity of certificate storage and potentially escalate privileges within affected applications. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description reflects the potential for various outcomes including remote code execution, information disclosure, or system instability, depending on the specific execution environment and exploitation techniques employed. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as high-risk due to its potential for remote exploitation and the widespread use of NSS across different software platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11698 focus primarily on updating to patched versions of NSS where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and memory validation. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to update all affected systems and applications that utilize NSS components. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict file validation procedures for certificate databases, monitoring for unusual certificate processing activities, and employing application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized certificate management utilities. From a security architecture perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1195 for content injection attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the cryptographic infrastructure stack.