CVE-2017-15667 in SysGauge
Summary
by MITRE
In Flexense SysGauge Server 3.6.18, the Control Protocol suffers from a denial of service. The attack vector is a crafted SERVER_GET_INFO packet sent to control port 9221.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15667 affects Flexense SysGauge Server version 3.6.18, specifically targeting its Control Protocol implementation. This issue manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered through manipulation of the server's communication interface. The vulnerability resides within the protocol handling mechanism that processes incoming control commands, making it a critical concern for systems relying on this monitoring solution for infrastructure management. The attack surface is limited to the designated control port 9221, which serves as the primary communication channel for system administration and monitoring functions.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the SERVER_GET_INFO packet processing routine. When a maliciously crafted packet is transmitted to port 9221, the system fails to properly validate the packet structure or content, leading to unexpected behavior that ultimately results in service disruption. This weakness represents a classic example of insufficient validation in network protocol implementations, which can be categorized under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation." The vulnerability demonstrates how malformed data can cause system instability and service unavailability, particularly when the application does not implement robust error recovery mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, potentially affecting critical infrastructure monitoring capabilities. Organizations utilizing Flexense SysGauge Server for system health monitoring may experience complete loss of control over their monitored systems, leading to extended downtime and potential security implications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to render the monitoring server inoperable, thereby eliminating visibility into system performance metrics and potentially masking other security incidents. The attack requires minimal resources to execute and can be performed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where control protocols are exposed to untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the control protocol implementation. System administrators should consider applying the vendor-provided patch or update that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the flaw affects the core functionality of the monitoring server. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit exposure by restricting access to port 9221 to trusted sources only. Additionally, implementing monitoring for unusual traffic patterns on the control port can help detect exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving service interruption and denial of service attacks, specifically targeting network protocols and system management interfaces. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper error handling in preventing exploitation of protocol-level weaknesses.