CVE-2001-0441 in SLRN
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in (1) wrapping and (2) unwrapping functions of slrn news reader before 0.9.7.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a long message header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0441 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the slrn news reader software prior to version 0.9.7.0. This issue affects both the wrapping and unwrapping functions of the application, creating a security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized command execution capabilities. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of message headers, where an attacker can craft a maliciously long header that exceeds the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption and potential code execution.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the slrn news reader's header processing functions. When the application encounters a message header exceeding the predefined buffer limits during either wrapping or unwrapping operations, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can overwrite critical program variables, return addresses, or function pointers, allowing an attacker to manipulate the program flow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as remote attackers can leverage it to execute arbitrary commands on systems running vulnerable versions of slrn. This creates a significant risk for users who access news feeds or process messages from untrusted sources, as the attack can be initiated through standard network protocols without requiring local access or authentication. The vulnerability affects systems where slrn is used for processing news articles, particularly in environments where users might receive messages from external sources or when the application processes headers from potentially malicious sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0441 involve immediate patching of the slrn news reader to version 0.9.7.0 or later, which includes proper buffer size validation and input sanitization. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit exposure of systems running vulnerable versions, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and consider implementing input validation at network boundaries. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper bounds checking in legacy applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation would enable remote command execution. Security teams should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other applications with similar buffer overflow patterns and ensure that input validation mechanisms are properly implemented across all network-facing applications to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.