Vulnerabilities > CVE-2016-6559 - Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer vulnerability in Freebsd

047910
CVSS 9.8 - CRITICAL
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
LOW
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
HIGH
Integrity impact
HIGH
Availability impact
HIGH
network
low complexity
freebsd
CWE-119
critical
nessus

Summary

Improper bounds checking of the obuf variable in the link_ntoa() function in linkaddr.c of the BSD libc library may allow an attacker to read or write from memory. The full impact and severity depends on the method of exploit and how the library is used by applications. According to analysis by FreeBSD developers, it is very unlikely that applications exist that utilize link_ntoa() in an exploitable manner, and the CERT/CC is not aware of any proof of concept. A blog post describes the functionality of link_ntoa() and points out that none of the base utilities use this function in an exploitable manner. For more information, please see FreeBSD Security Advisory SA-16:37.

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Buffer Overflow via Environment Variables
    This attack pattern involves causing a buffer overflow through manipulation of environment variables. Once the attacker finds that they can modify an environment variable, they may try to overflow associated buffers. This attack leverages implicit trust often placed in environment variables.
  • Overflow Buffers
    Buffer Overflow attacks target improper or missing bounds checking on buffer operations, typically triggered by input injected by an attacker. As a consequence, an attacker is able to write past the boundaries of allocated buffer regions in memory, causing a program crash or potentially redirection of execution as per the attackers' choice.
  • Client-side Injection-induced Buffer Overflow
    This type of attack exploits a buffer overflow vulnerability in targeted client software through injection of malicious content from a custom-built hostile service.
  • Filter Failure through Buffer Overflow
    In this attack, the idea is to cause an active filter to fail by causing an oversized transaction. An attacker may try to feed overly long input strings to the program in an attempt to overwhelm the filter (by causing a buffer overflow) and hoping that the filter does not fail securely (i.e. the user input is let into the system unfiltered).
  • MIME Conversion
    An attacker exploits a weakness in the MIME conversion routine to cause a buffer overflow and gain control over the mail server machine. The MIME system is designed to allow various different information formats to be interpreted and sent via e-mail. Attack points exist when data are converted to MIME compatible format and back.

Nessus

  • NASL familyFreeBSD Local Security Checks
    NASL idFREEBSD_PKG_0282269DBBEE11E6B1CF14DAE9D210B8.NASL
    descriptionA specially crafted argument can trigger a static buffer overflow in the library, with possibility to rewrite following static buffers that belong to other library functions. Impact : Due to very limited use of the function in the existing applications, and limited length of the overflow, exploitation of the vulnerability does not seem feasible. None of the utilities and daemons in the base system are known to be vulnerable. However, careful review of third party software that may use the function was not performed.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id95585
    published2016-12-07
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2016-2018 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/95585
    titleFreeBSD : FreeBSD -- link_ntoa(3) buffer overflow (0282269d-bbee-11e6-b1cf-14dae9d210b8)
    code
    #
    # (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    #
    # The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
    # extracted from the FreeBSD VuXML database :
    #
    # Copyright 2003-2018 Jacques Vidrine and contributors
    #
    # Redistribution and use in source (VuXML) and 'compiled' forms (SGML,
    # HTML, PDF, PostScript, RTF and so forth) with or without modification,
    # are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
    # 1. Redistributions of source code (VuXML) must retain the above
    #    copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following
    #    disclaimer as the first lines of this file unmodified.
    # 2. Redistributions in compiled form (transformed to other DTDs,
    #    published online in any format, converted to PDF, PostScript,
    #    RTF and other formats) must reproduce the above copyright
    #    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
    #    in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
    #    distribution.
    # 
    # THIS DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
    # AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
    # THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
    # PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR OR CONTRIBUTORS
    # BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY,
    # OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT
    # OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR
    # BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY,
    # WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE
    # OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS DOCUMENTATION,
    # EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
    #
    
    include("compat.inc");
    
    if (description)
    {
      script_id(95585);
      script_version("3.4");
      script_cvs_date("Date: 2018/11/10 11:49:45");
    
      script_cve_id("CVE-2016-6559");
      script_xref(name:"FreeBSD", value:"SA-16:37.libc");
    
      script_name(english:"FreeBSD : FreeBSD -- link_ntoa(3) buffer overflow (0282269d-bbee-11e6-b1cf-14dae9d210b8)");
      script_summary(english:"Checks for updated packages in pkg_info output");
    
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"synopsis", 
        value:
    "The remote FreeBSD host is missing one or more security-related
    updates."
      );
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"description", 
        value:
    "A specially crafted argument can trigger a static buffer overflow in
    the library, with possibility to rewrite following static buffers that
    belong to other library functions. Impact : Due to very limited use of
    the function in the existing applications, and limited length of the
    overflow, exploitation of the vulnerability does not seem feasible.
    None of the utilities and daemons in the base system are known to be
    vulnerable. However, careful review of third party software that may
    use the function was not performed."
      );
      # https://vuxml.freebsd.org/freebsd/0282269d-bbee-11e6-b1cf-14dae9d210b8.html
      script_set_attribute(
        attribute:"see_also",
        value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?98fb1d8f"
      );
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Update the affected packages.");
      script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
      script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:freebsd:freebsd:FreeBSD");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:freebsd:freebsd");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2016/12/06");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2016/12/06");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2016/12/07");
      script_end_attributes();
    
      script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
      script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2016-2018 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
      script_family(english:"FreeBSD Local Security Checks");
    
      script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
      script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/FreeBSD/release", "Host/FreeBSD/pkg_info", "Settings/ParanoidReport");
    
      exit(0);
    }
    
    
    include("audit.inc");
    include("freebsd_package.inc");
    
    
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/FreeBSD/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "FreeBSD");
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/FreeBSD/pkg_info")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);
    
    
    if (report_paranoia < 2) audit(AUDIT_PARANOID);
    
    flag = 0;
    
    if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"FreeBSD>=11.0<11.0_5")) flag++;
    if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"FreeBSD>=10.3<10.3_14")) flag++;
    if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"FreeBSD>=10.2<10.2_27")) flag++;
    if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"FreeBSD>=10.1<10.1_44")) flag++;
    if (pkg_test(save_report:TRUE, pkg:"FreeBSD>=9.3<9.3_52")) flag++;
    
    if (flag)
    {
      if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:pkg_report_get());
      else security_hole(0);
      exit(0);
    }
    else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
    
  • NASL familyFirewalls
    NASL idPFSENSE_SA-17_03.NASL
    descriptionAccording to its self-reported version number, the remote pfSense install is affected by multiple vulnerabilities as stated in the referenced vendor advisories.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id106503
    published2018-01-31
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2018-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/106503
    titlepfSense < 2.3.3 Multiple Vulnerabilities (SA-17_01 - SA-17_03)
    code
    #
    # (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    #
    
    include("compat.inc");
    
    if (description)
    {
      script_id(106503);
      script_version("1.12");
      script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/11/08");
    
      script_cve_id(
        "CVE-2016-1889",
        "CVE-2016-6559",
        "CVE-2016-7426",
        "CVE-2016-7427",
        "CVE-2016-7428",
        "CVE-2016-7429",
        "CVE-2016-7431",
        "CVE-2016-7433",
        "CVE-2016-7434",
        "CVE-2016-8610",
        "CVE-2016-8858",
        "CVE-2016-9310",
        "CVE-2016-9311",
        "CVE-2016-9312",
        "CVE-2016-10009",
        "CVE-2016-10010"
      );
      script_bugtraq_id(
        93776,
        93841,
        94444,
        94446,
        94447,
        94448,
        94450,
        94451,
        94452,
        94453,
        94454,
        94455,
        94694,
        94968,
        94972
      );
      script_xref(name:"CERT", value:"633847");
      script_xref(name:"FreeBSD", value:"SA-16:29.bspatch");
      script_xref(name:"FreeBSD", value:"SA-16:31.libarchive");
      script_xref(name:"FreeBSD", value:"SA-16:33.openssh");
      script_xref(name:"FreeBSD", value:"SA-16:35.openssl");
      script_xref(name:"FreeBSD", value:"SA-16:37.libc");
      script_xref(name:"FreeBSD", value:"SA-16:38.bhyve");
      script_xref(name:"FreeBSD", value:"SA-16:39.ntp");
      script_xref(name:"FreeBSD", value:"SA-17:01.openssh");
    
      script_name(english:"pfSense < 2.3.3 Multiple Vulnerabilities (SA-17_01 - SA-17_03)");
      script_summary(english:"Checks the version of pfSense.");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
    "The remote firewall host is affected by multiple vulnerabilities.");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
    "According to its self-reported version number, the remote pfSense
    install is affected by multiple vulnerabilities as stated in the
    referenced vendor advisories.");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/2.3.3_New_Features_and_Changes");
      # https://www.pfsense.org/security/advisories/pfSense-SA-17_01.webgui.asc
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?96e388ec");
      # https://www.pfsense.org/security/advisories/pfSense-SA-17_02.webgui.asc
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?871cf23b");
      # https://www.pfsense.org/security/advisories/pfSense-SA-17_03.webgui.asc
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?36b6ea9d");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
    "Upgrade to pfSense version 2.3.3 or later.");
      script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
      script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:POC/RL:OF/RC:C");
      script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
      script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:P/RL:O/RC:C");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2016-6559");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2017/02/17");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2017/02/17");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2018/01/31");
    
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"remote");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:pfsense:pfsense");
      script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:bsdperimeter:pfsense");
      script_end_attributes();
    
      script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
      script_family(english:"Firewalls");
    
      script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2018-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
    
      script_dependencies("pfsense_detect.nbin");
      script_require_keys("Host/pfSense");
    
      exit(0);
    }
    
    include("vcf.inc");
    include("vcf_extras.inc");
    
    if (!get_kb_item("Host/pfSense")) audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "pfSense");
    
    app_info = vcf::pfsense::get_app_info();
    constraints = [
      { "fixed_version" : "2.3.3" }
    ];
    
    vcf::pfsense::check_version_and_report(
      app_info:app_info,
      constraints:constraints,
      severity:SECURITY_HOLE,
      flags:{xss:TRUE, xsrf:TRUE}
    );