ZDI-11-030: Symantec AMS Intel Alert Handler Modem String Parsing Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-11-030

January 27, 2011

-- CVE ID:
CVE-2010-111

-- CVSS:
10, (AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C)

-- Affected Vendors:
Symantec

-- Affected Products:
Symantec Alert Management System

-- TippingPoint(TM) IPS Customer Protection:
TippingPoint IPS customers have been protected against this
vulnerability by Digital Vaccine protection filter ID 9415.
For further product information on the TippingPoint IPS, visit:

    http://www.tippingpoint.com

-- Vulnerability Details:
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on
vulnerable installations of Symantec Alert Management System.
Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.

The specific flaw exists within the pagehndl.dll module while processing
data sent from the msgsys.exe process which listens by default on TCP
port 38292. The DLL allocates a fixed length stack buffer and
subsequently copies a user-supplied modem string without validating the
size. By supplying a large enough value this buffer can be overflowed
leading to arbitrary code execution under the context of the vulnerable
daemon.

-- Vendor Response:
Symantec has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More
details can be found at:

http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/securityupdates/detail.jsp?fid=security_advisory&pvid=security_advisory&year=2011&suid=20110126_00

-- Disclosure Timeline:
2009-07-14 - Vulnerability reported to vendor
2011-01-27 - Coordinated public release of advisory

-- Credit:
This vulnerability was discovered by:
    * Anonymous

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