CVE-2001-0213 in Planet Intra
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in pi program in PlanetIntra 2.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0213 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the pi program component of PlanetIntra version 2.5. This software suite was designed for web-based content management and collaboration environments, making it a target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized system access. The buffer overflow occurs in the pi program which serves as a core component responsible for processing user inputs and managing system interactions. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited to gain complete control over affected systems, making them prime targets for attackers seeking persistent access to networked environments.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the pi program's handling of user-supplied data. When the program processes certain input parameters, it fails to properly check the length of incoming data against allocated buffer space, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This flaw directly maps to CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits data to be written beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the pi program processes command-line arguments or network input, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code into the execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected service, potentially leading to full system takeover, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage the buffer overflow to execute malicious commands directly on the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0213 should prioritize immediate patching of affected PlanetIntra installations, as this vulnerability has been widely documented and exploited in the wild since its disclosure. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable systems and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent similar issues in future development cycles. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries and establish robust monitoring protocols for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in preventing remote code execution exploits that can lead to complete system compromise.