CVE-2017-5716 in Connection Manager Daemon
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ConnMan Project connection manager daemon version 1.34 and earlier allows a remote attacker to conduct a denial of service and remote code execution via malformed DNS packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5716 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ConnMan Project connection manager daemon, affecting versions 1.34 and earlier. This issue resides in the network management software that handles DNS packet processing, creating a significant security risk for systems relying on this connectivity management framework. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the DNS handling code, specifically when processing malformed DNS responses that exceed allocated buffer boundaries. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate the daemon's memory allocation patterns through carefully crafted DNS packet structures, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or complete service disruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the ConnMan daemon receives malformed DNS packets that trigger buffer overflow conditions during parsing operations. The flaw manifests as a classic stack-based buffer overflow, where attacker-controlled data exceeds the predetermined buffer size allocated for DNS response processing. This condition can be leveraged to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the running daemon process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the network level, allowing remote attackers to exploit the flaw without requiring local system access or authentication credentials.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2017-5716 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can result in persistent remote code execution, allowing attackers to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware payloads within affected networks. The daemon's role as a core network management component means that exploitation can potentially disrupt network connectivity for all connected devices, creating cascading failures that affect enterprise infrastructure. Additionally, the vulnerability's remote attack surface increases the likelihood of widespread exploitation across multiple systems, particularly in environments where automatic updates are not properly managed.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including patching to ConnMan version 1.35 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide temporary protection by limiting DNS traffic to trusted sources and monitoring for suspicious packet patterns. The implementation of intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known exploit patterns can help identify attempted exploitation attempts. System administrators should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected ConnMan versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions as a fundamental software security weakness, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for remote code execution capabilities. The security implications underscore the importance of maintaining up-to-date network management software and implementing comprehensive vulnerability management programs to prevent similar issues from compromising system integrity.