CVE-2024-45166 in IDOL
Summary
by MITRE • 08/22/2024
An issue was discovered in UCI IDOL 2 (aka uciIDOL or IDOL2) through 2.12. Due to improper input validation, improper deserialization, and improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer, IDOL2 is vulnerable to Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks and possibly remote code execution. There is an access violation and EIP overwrite after five logins.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-45166 affects UCI IDOL 2 (also known as uciIDOL or IDOL2) versions through 2.12, representing a critical security flaw that stems from multiple interconnected software weaknesses. This vulnerability resides within the authentication and input processing mechanisms of the system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the software through improper input validation and deserialization practices. The flaw manifests in the form of insufficient restrictions on operations within memory buffer boundaries, which creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate system behavior through crafted inputs. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can lead to both denial-of-service conditions and potential remote code execution, making it a significant threat to system integrity and availability. The specific conditions that trigger this vulnerability involve a sequence of five login attempts, where an access violation occurs followed by an EIP (Extended Instruction Pointer) overwrite, indicating a complete compromise of the program's execution flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with several well-documented software security weaknesses that fall under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. Specifically, the improper input validation component corresponds to CWE-20, which describes insufficient input validation leading to various security issues including buffer overflows and injection attacks. The improper deserialization aspect maps to CWE-502, highlighting the dangers of processing untrusted data through deserialization mechanisms that can lead to arbitrary code execution. Additionally, the improper restriction of operations within memory buffer bounds directly relates to CWE-121, which covers stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can result in code execution control flow manipulation. These weaknesses combine to create a particularly dangerous scenario where an attacker can leverage multiple attack vectors to gain control over the target system's execution environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-45166 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The denial-of-service aspect can render the affected system unavailable to legitimate users, causing operational downtime and potential business disruption. However, the more severe implications arise from the potential for remote code execution, which allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the affected application. The specific trigger mechanism involving five login attempts suggests that this vulnerability could be exploited through automated attack scripts that repeatedly attempt authentication, potentially leading to system instability or complete compromise. The EIP overwrite condition indicates that attackers can redirect program execution flow, which is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving remote code execution in many attack scenarios. This vulnerability also aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and execution through authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-45166 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as this represents a critical vulnerability that requires prompt attention. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to affected systems and monitor authentication attempts for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of input validation controls and proper deserialization practices should be enforced throughout the application stack to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify the specific patterns associated with this vulnerability, including repeated login attempts and memory access violations. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential vulnerabilities that might share similar characteristics with this flaw. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust software development practices that include proper input validation, secure deserialization, and memory management controls. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and execution restrictions to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.