ZDI-10-090: Novell ZENworks Configuration Management Preboot Service Remote Code Execution Vulnerability http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-10-090 June 1, 2010 -- Affected Vendors: Novell -- Affected Products: Novell Zenworks -- TippingPoint(TM) IPS Customer Protection: TippingPoint IPS customers have been protected against this vulnerability by Digital Vaccine protection filter ID 9755. 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 Novell ZENworks. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the Preboot Service (novell-pbserv.exe). This service listens for incoming connections on TCP port 998. The service uses a simple binary protocol where the first DWORD is an opcode followed by the specific opcode's data, typically in length/value pairs. These length values are not checked against the destination buffers size allowing for stack-based overflows to occur. This can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the SYSTEM user. -- Vendor Response: Novell has issued an update to correct this vulnerability. More details can be found at: http://www.novell.com/support/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=7005572&sliceId=1&docTypeID=DT_TID_1_1&dialogID=138523325&stateId=0%200%20138517923 -- Disclosure Timeline: 2010-02-09 - Vulnerability reported to vendor 2010-06-01 - Coordinated public release of advisory -- Credit: This vulnerability was discovered by: * Stephen Fewer of Harmony Security (www.harmonysecurity.com) -- About the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI): Established by TippingPoint, The Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) represents a best-of-breed model for rewarding security researchers for responsibly disclosing discovered vulnerabilities. Researchers interested in getting paid for their security research through the ZDI can find more information and sign-up at: http://www.zerodayinitiative.com The ZDI is unique in how the acquired vulnerability information is used. TippingPoint does not re-sell the vulnerability details or any exploit code. Instead, upon notifying the affected product vendor, TippingPoint provides its customers with zero day protection through its intrusion prevention technology. Explicit details regarding the specifics of the vulnerability are not exposed to any parties until an official vendor patch is publicly available. Furthermore, with the altruistic aim of helping to secure a broader user base, TippingPoint provides this vulnerability information confidentially to security vendors (including competitors) who have a vulnerability protection or mitigation product. Our vulnerability disclosure policy is available online at: http://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/disclosure_policy/ Follow the ZDI on Twitter: http://twitter.com/thezdi