#VU42412 Heap-based buffer overflow in systemd - CVE-2013-4391

Vulnerability identifier: #VU42412

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 2.7 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2013-4391

CWE-ID: CWE-122

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
systemd
Server applications / Other server solutions

Vendor: Freedesktop.org

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error in Integer overflow in the valid_user_field function in journal/journald-native.c in systemd. A remote attacker can use a large journal data field to trigger heap-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

systemd: All versions

---

External links
https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=725357
https://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/commit/?id=505b6a61c22d5565e9308045c7b9bf79f7d0517e
https://www.debian.org/security/2013/dsa-2777
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2013/10/01/9
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=859051
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201612-34

---

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.