Denial of Service Vulnerability in MIT Kerberos 5 (krb5) - CVE-2011-1530
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2011-1530: The process_tgs_req function in do_tgs_req.c in the Key Distribution Center (KDC) in MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) 1.9 through 1.9.2 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference an... Affects krb5 versions < 1.10+dfsg~alpha1-7. Fixed in 1.10+dfsg~alpha1-7. How to fix ↓
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Background
MIT Kerberos 5, commonly referred to as krb5, is a widely used network authentication protocol designed to provide secure authentication for users and services over an insecure network. It employs strong cryptography to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data. The package is integral to many systems, providing a robust framework for secure identity verification. However, it has been identified to have a vulnerability that can lead to a denial of service under specific conditions.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1530 exists in the process_tgs_req function within the Key Distribution Center (KDC) of MIT Kerberos 5 versions 1.9 through 1.9.2. This flaw allows remote authenticated users to exploit a crafted Ticket Granting Service (TGS) request, causing a NULL pointer dereference that results in a crash of the daemon. The implications of this vulnerability are significant, as it can disrupt authentication services, leading to potential downtime and loss of access to critical resources.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.10+dfsg~alpha1-7
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade krb5Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, administrators can limit access to the KDC to trusted networks or implement additional monitoring to detect unusual TGS requests. However, the best course of action is to apply the patch as soon as possible.
Conclusion
In summary, CVE-2011-1530 is a critical vulnerability in the MIT Kerberos 5 package that can lead to service disruption. It is crucial to update to the patched version to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. Utilizing tools like Vulert can aid in monitoring for such vulnerabilities effectively.
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FAQ
CVE-2011-1530 is a vulnerability in MIT Kerberos 5 that allows remote authenticated users to crash the KDC daemon through crafted TGS requests.
The affected versions are MIT Kerberos 5 versions 1.9 through 1.9.2.
You can use tools like Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected.
Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to a denial of service, causing the KDC daemon to crash and potentially disrupting authentication services.
If an immediate update is not possible, consider restricting access to the KDC and monitoring for unusual activity as a temporary measure.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for krb5.
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