ISS Security Advisory: Citrix MetaFrame Remote Denial of Service Vulnerability

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Internet Security Systems Security Advisory
October 16, 2001

Citrix MetaFrame Remote Denial of Service Vulnerability 

Synopsis:

ISS has discovered a remote Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerability
in Citrix MetaFrame. Citrix MetaFrame is an application server that
works with Windows Terminal Services. This vulnerability causes a
MetaFrame installation to crash or "blue screen" and requires an 
affected system to be restarted manually. No local access is needed
to exploit this vulnerability.

Affected Versions:

Citrix MetaFrame 1.8 Server with Service Pack 3
Citrix MetaFrame XP Server
Citrix MetaFrame XP Server Service Pack 1

Description:

Citrix MetaFrame works with Windows Terminal Services to provide
application server capabilities.

This vulnerability is caused by the improper handling of the
establishment of multiple sessions in the Citrix product. An attacker
can initiate multiple fake sessions with the target server by simulating
the protocol used between the MetaFrame client and server. These
sessions pass file name and other information from client to server
before encrypted channels are established. The server allows a maximum
of approximately 52 sessions to be started. After the sessions time out,
new sessions that are initiated will cause the server to crash. The new
sessions cause an exception that results in a blue screen. This
exception, which is usually a page fault, can occur in various
processes.
 
Recommendations:

ISS X-Force recommends that all vulnerable MetaFrame customers download
and apply the appropriate Citrix hotfix for their server platform from
the Citrix Web site. To obtain this hotfix, connect to the Citrix Web
site (http://www.citrix.com/support), click the link to the Solution
Knowledge Base, and select Hotfixes and Service Packs from the
Additional Resources menu. 

The hotfixes that apply to the vulnerability described in this Security
Advisory are:

MetaFrame 1.8 with Service Pack 3:
     Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server:
          English: ME183T012
          German: MG183T012
     Windows 2000:
          English: ME183W018
          German: MG183W018
MetaFrame XP:  
     Hotfixes will be made available for MetaFrame XP 
     and MetaFrame XP Service Pack 1/Feature Pack 1

Refer to the Hotfixes and Service Packs section of the Citrix Knowledge
Base Web site for more information on patching your system.

ISS X-Force will provide detection and assessment support for this
vulnerability in upcoming X-Press Updates for RealSecure Network Sensor
and Internet Scanner. 

Additional Information:
The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CAN-2001-0716 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for
security problems.

Credits:
This vulnerability was discovered and researched by Justine Bone from
the ISS Consulting Solutions Group (USA) as well as Glyn Geoghegan and
Paul Davies of ISS UK Security Assessment Services (SAS). Internet
Security Systems would like to thank Citrix Systems for their response
and handling of this vulnerability.

______

About Internet Security Systems (ISS)
Internet Security Systems is a leading global provider of security
management solutions for the Internet, protecting digital assets and
ensuring safe and uninterrupted e-business. With its industry-leading
intrusion detection and vulnerability assessment, remote managed
security services, and strategic consulting and education offerings, ISS
is a trusted security provider to more than 8,000 customers worldwide
including 21 of the 25 largest U.S. commercial banks and the top 10 U.S.
telecommunications companies. Founded in 1994, ISS is headquartered in
Atlanta, GA, with additional offices throughout North America and
international operations in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and
the Middle East. For more information, visit the Internet Security
Systems web site at www.iss.net or call 888-901-7477.

Copyright (c) 2001 Internet Security Systems, Inc.

Permission is hereby granted for the redistribution of this Alert
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