CVE-2000-0931 in Pegasus Mail
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Pegasus Mail 3.11 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary commands via a long email message containing binary data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0931 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Pegasus Mail version 3.11 that exposes the email client to remote exploitation. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's handling of incoming email messages, particularly when processing binary data within email content. The flaw occurs when the software attempts to process email messages that exceed predetermined buffer size limits, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the application's memory space.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. In the context of Pegasus Mail 3.11, the buffer overflow manifests when the application receives an email message containing an excessive amount of binary data that surpasses the allocated buffer capacity. This condition can be exploited through carefully crafted email messages that manipulate the application's parsing routines to trigger memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems. When an attacker successfully exploits this buffer overflow, they can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting return addresses or function pointers within the stack memory. This manipulation allows for the execution of malicious code with the privileges of the affected application, typically resulting in complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can leverage this flaw without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The attack vector for CVE-2000-0931 operates through standard email delivery mechanisms, where an attacker simply needs to send a specially crafted email message to a victim using the vulnerable Pegasus Mail client. The attack follows the typical remote code execution pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1190 for exploit public-facing application. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated through various attack frameworks, making it a popular target for automated malware distribution systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the Pegasus Mail application to version 3.12 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections. System administrators should implement email filtering mechanisms that can identify and block suspicious binary content or unusually large email attachments. Network-based intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for patterns consistent with this vulnerability's exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening unsolicited emails and the importance of keeping email client software updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and memory safety practices in software development, aligning with industry best practices outlined in the CERT/CC secure coding guidelines and emphasizing the need for robust bounds checking mechanisms in all network-facing applications.