CVE-2017-12787 in NoviWare
Summary
by MITRE
A network interface of the novi_process_manager_daemon service, included in the NoviWare software distribution through NW400.2.6 and deployed on NoviSwitch devices, can be inadvertently exposed if an operator attempts to modify ACLs, because of a bug when ACL modifications are applied. This could be leveraged by remote, unauthenticated attackers to gain resultant privileged (root) code execution on the switch, because incoming packet data can contain embedded OS commands, and can also trigger a stack-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2024
The CVE-2017-12787 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the novi_process_manager_daemon service component of NoviWare software version NW400.2.6, which is deployed on NoviSwitch network devices. This vulnerability arises from a design flaw in how Access Control List modifications are applied within the network interface management system. The issue manifests when operators attempt to modify Access Control Lists, creating an unintended exposure of the daemon's network interface that was not meant to be accessible from external networks. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling mechanisms within the daemon's packet processing functionality, creating a pathway for remote exploitation without requiring authentication credentials.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a stack-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when incoming packet data containing embedded operating system commands is processed by the vulnerable daemon. This buffer overflow vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The embedded OS commands within the packet data enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the daemon process, which typically runs with elevated permissions on the target system. The exploitation chain begins with the exposure of the network interface, followed by the injection of maliciously crafted packets that trigger the buffer overflow condition, ultimately leading to privilege escalation to root level access.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12787 is severe for network infrastructure devices, as it provides remote attackers with complete system compromise capabilities without requiring any authentication. Network administrators who manage NoviSwitch devices are particularly vulnerable since the attack can be executed from any location on the network, making it extremely difficult to detect and mitigate. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire network infrastructure, as attackers can gain full control over the switch operations, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, network disruption, or data exfiltration. The root privilege execution capability means that attackers can modify network configurations, access sensitive data stored on the device, or use the compromised switch as a pivot point for attacks against other systems within the network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate network segmentation and access control restrictions. Organizations should implement network access controls to prevent unauthorized access to the affected daemon's network interface, using firewall rules and network segmentation to isolate the vulnerable devices. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of the NoviWare software distribution, specifically versions that address the ACL modification bug and implement proper input validation for packet processing. System administrators should also consider disabling the novi_process_manager_daemon service if it is not essential for operations, and implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous packet patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other network infrastructure components, following the ATT&CK framework's reconnaissance and execution phases to ensure comprehensive protection against similar remote code execution vulnerabilities.