CVE-2017-6318 in sane-backends
Summary
by MITRE
saned in sane-backends 1.0.25 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive memory information via a crafted SANE_NET_CONTROL_OPTION packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6318 affects the saned daemon component within the sane-backends package version 1.0.25, representing a critical memory disclosure issue that exposes sensitive information to remote attackers. This vulnerability resides in the SANE (Scanner Access Now Easy) network protocol implementation where the saned service listens for incoming connections and processes control option packets from remote clients. The flaw specifically manifests when the daemon receives a malformed SANE_NET_CONTROL_OPTION packet, which triggers improper memory handling during packet processing. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the network control option handling code, allowing attackers to craft malicious packets that cause the daemon to leak memory contents to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of buffer overflows and memory corruption patterns that occur when the saned daemon processes malformed control option packets. Attackers can construct specially crafted SANE_NET_CONTROL_OPTION packets that, when processed by the vulnerable daemon, trigger memory disclosure mechanisms. This occurs because the daemon fails to properly validate packet structures and does not implement adequate bounds checking during memory operations. The memory leakage typically includes stack contents, heap data, and potentially sensitive information such as authentication credentials, session tokens, or internal system pointers that could aid in further exploitation attempts. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-200: Information Exposure, representing both memory access violations and information disclosure weaknesses in the software implementation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6318 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked memory contents could provide attackers with sufficient information to perform more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or remote code execution. The vulnerability affects systems running the affected sane-backends version and exposes any network-accessible scanner services that utilize the saned daemon for remote scanner access. Organizations relying on networked scanner infrastructure, particularly in enterprise environments where scanners are exposed to external networks, face significant risk from this vulnerability. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication, making it a passive threat that can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected service. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1083: File and Directory Discovery and T1005: Data from Local System, as it enables unauthorized access to system memory contents that could contain sensitive operational data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6318 should include immediate patching of the sane-backends package to version 1.0.26 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory handling issues. Network administrators should also implement firewall rules to restrict access to the saned daemon ports, typically port 6566, and ensure that scanner services are not exposed to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for suspicious SANE protocol activity and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in network services, emphasizing the need for regular security assessments of networked scanning infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of scanner services to only authorized users and systems, reducing the attack surface for such memory disclosure vulnerabilities.