MIT Kerberos up to 5-1.3 krb5_aname_to_localname memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in MIT Kerberos. This affects the function krb5_aname_to_localname. The manipulation results in memory corruption. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2004-0523. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to implement a patch to correct this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in MIT Kerberos (Network Authentication Software). Affected is the function krb5_aname_to_localname. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Multiple buffer overflows in krb5_aname_to_localname for MIT Kerberos 5 (krb5) 1.3.3 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root.

The bug was discovered 06/01/2004. The weakness was shared 06/01/2004 by Christopher Nebergall and Nico Williams with MIT (Website). The advisory is shared for download at web.mit.edu. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2004-0523 since 06/03/2004. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

As 0-day the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 13710 (Fedora Core 1 : krb5-1.3.3-6 (2004-149)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Fedora Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 38388 (Sun Solaris SEAM Kerberos 5 Buffer Overflow Vulnerability).

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at web.mit.edu. A possible mitigation has been published 3 weeks after the disclosure of the vulnerability. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 31579.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (16268), Tenable (13710), SecurityFocus (BID 10448†), OSVDB (6846†) and Secunia (SA11753†). Further details are available at securityfocus.com. Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.0

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 13710
Nessus Name: Fedora Core 1 : krb5-1.3.3-6 (2004-149)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 53210
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 520-1 (krb5)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Patch: web.mit.edu
TippingPoint: 🔍
ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍
PaloAlto IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

06/01/2004 🔍
06/01/2004 +0 days 🔍
06/01/2004 +0 days 🔍
06/01/2004 +0 days 🔍
06/02/2004 +1 days 🔍
06/03/2004 +1 days 🔍
06/11/2004 +8 days 🔍
06/16/2004 +4 days 🔍
07/23/2004 +37 days 🔍
08/18/2004 +26 days 🔍
11/23/2004 +97 days 🔍
07/12/2025 +7536 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: mit.edu

Advisory: web.mit.edu
Researcher: Christopher Nebergall, Nico Williams
Organization: MIT
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2004-0523 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2004-0523
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-684

OVAL: 🔍

CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 16268 - Kerberos krb5_aname_to_localname() buffer overflow, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 10448 - MIT Kerberos 5 KRB5_AName_To_Localname Multiple Principal Name Buffer Overrun Vulnerabilities
Secunia: 11753 - Kerberos V5 "krb5_aname_to_localname()" Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 6846 - MIT Kerberos 5 krb5_aname_to_localname() Buffer Overflow
SecuriTeam: securiteam.com
Vulnerability Center: 5902 - Multiple Buffer Overflows in MIT Kerberos 5 Allows Code Execution, Critical

Misc.: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 06/02/2004 12:57
Updated: 07/12/2025 20:25
Changes: 06/02/2004 12:57 (100), 06/28/2019 15:20 (1), 01/22/2025 08:48 (18), 07/12/2025 20:25 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:BDB:103

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