CVE-2017-2885
Description
A stack-based buffer overflow flaw was discovered within the HTTP processing of libsoup. A remote attacker could exploit this flaw to cause a crash or, potentially, execute arbitrary code by sending a specially crafted HTTP request to a server using the libsoup HTTP server functionality or by tricking a user into connecting to a malicious HTTP server with an application using the libsoup HTTP client functionality.
Statement
This issue affects the libsoup packages as shipped with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7. However, these packages have been compiled with additional security mitigation techniques ("stack smashing protection"), which makes exploitation significantly harder. Thus, in most cases an exploitation attempt should be mitigated to a mere crash. However, successful exploitation to execute arbitrary code can't be ruled out entirely.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 7.3 | 9.8 | 9.8 |
| Attack Vector | Network | Network | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | None | None | None |
| User Interaction | None | None | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | Low | High | High |
| Integrity Impact | Low | High | High |
| Availability Impact | Low | High | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory)
Buffer overflows generally lead to crashes. Other attacks leading to lack of availability are possible, including putting the program into an infinite loop.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability,Access Control
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Bypass Protection Mechanism
Buffer overflows often can be used to execute arbitrary code, which is usually outside the scope of a program's implicit security policy.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability,Access Control,Other
Technical Impact: Modify Memory; Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Bypass Protection Mechanism; Other
When the consequence is arbitrary code execution, this can often be used to subvert any other security service.
Acknowledgements
Red Hat would like to thank Aleksandar Nikolic (Cisco Talos) for reporting this issue.
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