CVE-2021-44154 in RLM
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2021
An issue was discovered in Reprise RLM 14.2. By using an admin account, an attacker can write a payload to /goform/edit_opt, which will then be triggered when running the diagnostics (via /goform/diagnostics_doit), resulting in a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2021-44154 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Reprise RLM version 14.2 that stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the web interface. This vulnerability exists in the administrative functionality of the software, specifically in the /goform/edit_opt endpoint which accepts user-provided data without adequate validation. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to craft malicious payloads that can be written to the system and subsequently executed during diagnostic operations, creating a persistent exploitation vector. The issue manifests through the web-based administration interface where the software fails to properly constrain the length and content of data submitted through the edit_opt form handler. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack chain begins with an authenticated administrative account, which provides the necessary privileges to write malicious content to the vulnerable endpoint, followed by triggering the payload execution during the diagnostics process that calls /goform/diagnostics_doit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges and gain full control over the affected system. When the diagnostic process executes, the malicious payload stored in the edit_opt endpoint is triggered, leading to a buffer overflow that can overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution, system crashes, or potentially allow attackers to inject shellcode that could establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only administrative access, which is often a privileged account with elevated system permissions. Attackers can leverage this to compromise the entire system and potentially use it as a foothold for further network infiltration. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that diagnostic operations are typically run regularly for system monitoring, making the exploitation window continuous rather than limited to specific user interactions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-44154 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Organizations should prioritize applying the vendor-supplied patches or updates that address the buffer overflow vulnerability in the RLM software. Until patches are applied, administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit who can reach the vulnerable web interface and administrative functions. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that administrative accounts are only accessible from trusted networks and that multi-factor authentication is implemented. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual activity patterns around the vulnerable endpoints, particularly around the /goform/edit_opt and /goform/diagnostics_doit paths. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues in other network management and monitoring systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 for command and script injection, and T1078 for valid accounts, highlighting the need for both network-level detection and account monitoring. Additionally, implementing input validation and output encoding controls can help prevent similar issues in other applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards.