CVE-2023-28502 in UniData
Summary
by MITRE • 03/30/2023
Rocket Software UniData versions prior to 8.2.4 build 3003 and UniVerse versions prior to 11.3.5 build 1001 or 12.2.1 build 2002 suffer from a stack-based buffer overflow in the "udadmin" service that can lead to remote code execution as the root user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28502 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Rocket Software UniData and UniVerse database systems. This security weakness affects multiple versions of the software ecosystem, specifically targeting UniData versions before 8.2.4 build 3003 and UniVerse versions before 11.3.5 build 1001 or 12.2.1 build 2002. The flaw manifests within the udadmin service component which serves as a critical administrative interface for managing database operations. The buffer overflow vulnerability occurs when the service processes incoming data without proper bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow conditions, where insufficient boundary checks enable attackers to write beyond allocated memory buffers. This particular flaw operates at the service level within the udadmin component, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring local system access. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that successful exploitation can result in remote code execution with root privileges, effectively granting attackers complete control over the affected system. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that attackers can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting return addresses and function pointers stored on the stack, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable comprehensive system compromise and data exfiltration. Organizations running affected versions of UniData or UniVerse systems face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive database information, potential system downtime, and complete loss of system integrity. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access or prior authentication. This vulnerability can be particularly devastating in enterprise environments where these database systems often store critical business data, user credentials, and operational information. The impact is further compounded by the fact that the exploit can be executed without requiring specialized knowledge of the target system's internal workings, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-28502 should prioritize immediate patch application to the affected software versions, with administrators upgrading to the patched releases of UniData 8.2.4 build 3003 or higher and UniVerse 11.3.5 build 1001 or 12.2.1 build 2002. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the udadmin service to only trusted networks and users. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for unusual patterns of traffic directed toward the affected service ports. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling the udadmin service entirely if it is not required for business operations, as this removes the attack surface entirely. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning to ensure no other instances of the same vulnerability exist within the environment, and system hardening practices should be implemented to reduce the overall attack surface of database systems. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications or database operations.