CVE-2017-12469 in CCN-lite
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in util/ccnl-common.c in CCN-lite before 2.00 allows context-dependent attackers to have unspecified impact by leveraging incorrect memory allocation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12469 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the CCN-lite software library, specifically in the util/ccnl-common.c file of versions prior to 2.00. This flaw resides in the core communication infrastructure designed for Content-Centric Networking implementations, where proper memory management is paramount for system stability and security. The issue manifests when the software incorrectly handles memory allocation during processing of network packets or data structures, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit the improper buffer handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory allocation logic within the CCN-lite framework. When processing incoming network data or internal data structures, the software fails to properly validate buffer sizes against allocated memory regions, allowing attackers to craft malicious inputs that exceed predetermined buffer limits. This condition creates a classic buffer overflow scenario where adjacent memory locations become overwritten, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, system crashes, or information disclosure. The context-dependent nature of this vulnerability means that exploitation requires specific conditions related to the data being processed and the operational environment, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through standard security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12469 extends beyond simple system instability, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors within Content-Centric Networking environments. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially execute malicious code on systems running affected CCN-lite versions, compromise the integrity of network communications, or cause denial of service conditions that disrupt content delivery services. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description reflects the broad range of potential consequences depending on the specific system configuration and attack scenario. Given that CCN-lite is used in various networking applications including IoT deployments, mobile networks, and content distribution systems, the exploitation of this vulnerability could affect critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers, and may also relate to CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflows, depending on the specific memory allocation patterns involved.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate software updates to CCN-lite version 2.00 or later, which contain the necessary memory management fixes and bounds checking improvements. Organizations should implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect anomalous packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as well as conduct thorough security assessments of all systems utilizing CCN-lite components. The remediation process should include not only patching the core library but also reviewing all applications that depend on CCN-lite for proper input validation and memory handling practices. Security teams should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack surface, while also establishing incident response procedures specifically addressing buffer overflow vulnerabilities in networking infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in network protocols and highlights the need for continuous security testing of underlying communication libraries that form the foundation of content-centric networking implementations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve execution of malicious code, while also relating to T1499 for network infiltration through compromised network services.