CVE-1999-1147 in Policy Compliance Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Platinum Policy Compliance Manager (PCM) 7.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a long string to the Agent port (1827), which is handled by smaxagent.exe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-1147 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Platinum Policy Compliance Manager version 7.0 software suite, specifically affecting the smaxagent.exe component that operates on port 1827. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the agent service that processes network communications from remote clients. The buffer overflow occurs when the smaxagent.exe process receives a malformed data packet containing an excessively long string that exceeds the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption and potential code execution privileges. The vulnerability affects systems running the Platinum PCM 7.0 software where the Agent service is actively listening on the designated port, creating an attack surface that remote adversaries can exploit without requiring authentication credentials.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability follows established patterns outlined in common weakness enumeration cwe-121, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations within the process heap. When a maliciously crafted string exceeds the buffer capacity, it overflows into adjacent memory segments, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect program execution flow and inject arbitrary code into the running process. The vulnerability manifests specifically when the smaxagent.exe service processes incoming network traffic on port 1827, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any remote location without requiring physical access or prior authentication. The attack vector aligns with attack technique t1203 from the attack tactics and techniques framework, representing a remote code execution vulnerability that can be leveraged for unauthorized system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access within the target network environment. Attackers who successfully exploit this buffer overflow can gain the same privileges as the smaxagent.exe process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions, potentially enabling them to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability affects organizations using Platinum PCM 7.0 for compliance management, creating potential exposure for critical infrastructure and regulatory compliance systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning as the Agent port 1827 is often exposed to external networks during typical deployment scenarios, making it accessible to attackers who scan for vulnerable systems. Organizations with multiple systems running this version of PCM face significant risk, as exploitation of a single vulnerable system can potentially provide attackers with a foothold for lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-1999-1147 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates provided by the vendor, as well as network-level protections to prevent unauthorized access to port 1827. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate systems running Platinum PCM 7.0 from critical network segments, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns on the affected port. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in software development, aligning with security best practices outlined in secure coding guidelines. System administrators should also consider disabling the Agent service entirely if it is not required for business operations, or implementing strict firewall rules to limit access to the service to only trusted network segments. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities within other legacy systems and applications that may be running in the organization's infrastructure.