A critical buffer overflow vulnerability, identified as CVE-2014-3931, was discovered in Multi-Router Looking Glass (MRLG), a widely used network diagnostic tool, more than a decade ago. This flaw affects MRLG versions prior to 5.5.0 and poses a significant security risk, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising the integrity and security of affected systems. CISA today added it to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog indicating widespread exploitation is taking place.
Technical Overview
Multi-Router Looking Glass (MRLG) is a popular open-source tool that enables network administrators to remotely query and diagnose routers. The vulnerability in question stems from improper memory handling within the fastping.c component of MRLG. Specifically, insufficient validation of buffer boundaries allows attackers to write arbitrary data to memory locations beyond the intended buffer, resulting in memory corruption.
Key Details
- CVE Identifier: CVE-2014-3931
- Vulnerability Type: Buffer Overflow (CWE-119)
- Affected Component: fastping.c
- Severity: Critical (CVSS v3 Base Score: 9.8)
- Attack Vector: Remote/Network
- Privileges Required: None
- User Interaction: None
Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to:
- Write arbitrary data to memory, leading to memory corruption.
- Potentially execute unauthorized code with the privileges of the MRLG process.
- Compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.
This vulnerability is especially concerning because it can be exploited remotely without authentication or user interaction. Publicly available proof-of-concept exploits and active exploitation in the wild have been reported, prompting its addition to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog.
Affected Versions
| Product | Affected Versions |
|---|---|
| Multi-Router Looking Glass (MRLG) | Up to and including 5.4.1 |
Recommended Mitigations
Organizations using MRLG are strongly advised to take the following actions:
- Upgrade Immediately:
Update MRLG to version 5.5.0 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed. - Restrict Network Access:
Limit access to MRLG interfaces to trusted networks and users only. - Monitor for Suspicious Activity:
Implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and anomalous behavior related to MRLG. - Enhance System Defenses:
Where possible, enable operating system-level protections such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), Data Execution Prevention (DEP), and stack canaries to mitigate the impact of buffer overflow vulnerabilities.
