iDefense Security Advisory 02.23.07: Mozilla Network Security Services SSLv2 Server Stack Overflow Vulnerability
Mozilla Network Security Services SSLv2 Client Integer Underflow
Vulnerability
iDefense Security Advisory 02.23.07
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
Feb 23, 2007
I. BACKGROUND
Network Security Services (NSS) is a set of libraries designed to support
cross-platform development of security-enabled client and server
applications, providing support for, among others, SSL (Secure Socket
Layer) protocol version 2 and 3. For more information visit the following
URL.
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/security/pki/nss/tools/
II. DESCRIPTION
Remote exploitation of an input validation error causing an integer
underflow in version 3.10 of the Mozilla Foundation's Network Security
Services (NSS) may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the
context of the affected application.
The vulnerability specifically exists due to a design error in the
processing of malformed SSLv2 server messages. By sending a certificate
with a public key too small to encrypt the "Master Secret", heap
corruption can be triggered which may result in the execution of arbitrary
code.
III. ANALYSIS
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability would allow an attacker to
execute arbitrary code in the context of the user running the affected
client.
Since this vulnerability is in library code used by multiple applications,
the details of how an attacker would exploit it vary. In all cases, the
affected client connects to a server which replies in the initial
handshake with a specially crafted certificate. This causes a heap based
overflow with random data and eventually causes a fault writing past the
end of the allocated space. Some applications may use values from the
overwritten memory locations before the program exits. In this case, it
may be possible for an attacker to cause code to execute.
Although the data which overruns the heap is random, code execution is
possible on some platforms with some applications using the library.
Although unreliable, iDefense has demonstrated that this vulnerability can
result in code execution with Firefox 1.5.0.9 on Windows XP.
IV. DETECTION
iDefense has confirmed this vulnerability exists in versions 3.10 and
3.11.3 of Mozilla Network Security Services. These libraries are used in a
variety of products from multiple vendors including Sun Microsystems, Red
Hat and Mozilla. Previous versions are also likely to be affected. The
names 'libnss3.so' on Linux based systems or 'nss3.dll' on Windows based
systems may indicate the library is being used by an application.
V. WORKAROUND
iDefense is not aware of any effective workaround for this vulnerability.
With some clients, it may be possible to mitigate exposure by disabling
SSLv2 support. However, this may cause problems connecting to servers
using only SSLv2.
VI. VENDOR RESPONSE
The Mozilla Foundation has addressed this vulnerability in Mozilla
Foundation Security Advisory 2007-06. For more information, view their
advisory at the following URL.
http://www.mozilla.org/security/announce/2007/mfsa2007-06.html
VII. CVE INFORMATION
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2007-0008 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for
security problems.
VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE
12/18/2006 Initial vendor notification
12/19/2006 Initial vendor response
02/23/2007 Coordinated public disclosure
IX. CREDIT
This vulnerability was reported to iDefense by regenrecht.
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X. LEGAL NOTICES
Copyright © 2007 iDefense, Inc.
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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at
the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of
the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this
information.