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CVE-2016-7407: Dropbear SSH Project: Code execution

CVE-2016-7407 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.0 base score of 9.8 and affects Dropbear SSH Project. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction. The scored impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is the highest available.

Vulnerability description

The dropbearconvert command in Dropbear SSH before 2016.74 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted OpenSSH key file.

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.0 9.8: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

• Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
• Attack complexity: Low. No special conditions; the attack can be repeated reliably.
• Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
• User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
• Scope: Unchanged. Impact stays within the vulnerable component.
• Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
• Integrity impact: High. Total loss of integrity; data or system state can be fully modified.
• Availability impact: High. Total loss of availability; the component can be shut down.

Underlying weakness

CWE-20: Improper Input Validation

The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.

Affected products

• Dropbear SSH Project: up to and including 2016.73

References

• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/09/15/2
• https://secure.ucc.asn.au/hg/dropbear/rev/34e6127ef02e
• https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201702-23
• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/92972
• https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1376353