CVE-2019-1010232 in libslax
Summary
by MITRE
Juniper juniper/libslax libslax latest version (as of commit 084ddf6ab4a55b59dfa9a53f9c5f14d192c4f8e5 Commits on Sep 1, 2018) is affected by: Buffer Overflow. The impact is: remote dos. The component is: slaxlexer.c:601(funtion:slaxGetInput). The attack vector is: ./slaxproc --slax-to-xslt POC0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1010232 affects the Juniper libslax library, specifically within the slaxlexer.c component at line 601 in the slaxGetInput function. This buffer overflow flaw represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited to execute remote denial of service attacks against systems utilizing this library. The vulnerability was discovered in the library version as of commit 084ddf6ab4a55b59dfa9a53f9c5f14d192c4f8e5, which was committed on September 1, 2018, indicating this issue had been present in the codebase for some time before detection.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the slaxGetInput function where input data is processed without adequate validation of buffer limits. When the slaxproc utility is invoked with the specific command line argument --slax-to-xslt POC0, the malicious input triggers the buffer overflow condition. This particular attack vector demonstrates how crafted input can cause memory corruption that leads to application termination. The vulnerability operates through a classic buffer overflow mechanism where insufficient input validation allows an attacker to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially causing unpredictable behavior including application crashes or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service as it can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt services in environments where libslax is utilized for processing SLAX transformations. Systems that rely on this library for XML processing, configuration management, or data transformation tasks become vulnerable to remote exploitation. The remote denial of service capability means that attackers can potentially target systems from external networks without requiring local access, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for networked environments. Organizations using Juniper products or any systems incorporating this library may experience service interruptions, reduced availability, and potential operational disruptions that could affect business continuity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the libslax library to the latest secure version that addresses the buffer overflow issue. System administrators should also implement input validation measures and restrict execution of the slaxproc utility with untrusted input. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit exposure by restricting which systems can execute the vulnerable components. Monitoring for suspicious command line arguments and implementing intrusion detection systems can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of potentially vulnerable binaries to prevent unauthorized use of the exploit vector. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers, and represents a potential vector for ATT&CK technique T1499, specifically covering network denial of service attacks through system resource exhaustion or application instability.