CVE-2001-0678 in Interscan Viruswall
Summary
by MITRE
A buffer overflow in reggo.dll file used by Trend Micro InterScan VirusWall prior to 3.51 build 1349 for Windows NT 3.5 and InterScan WebManager 1.2 allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0678 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the reggo.dll component of Trend Micro InterScan VirusWall software versions prior to 3.51 build 1349 specifically targeting Windows NT 3.5 systems and InterScan WebManager 1.2. This weakness resides in the software's handling of input data within the registry management functionality, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to gain elevated system privileges. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking in the reggo.dll library which processes registry operations, allowing malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the allocated buffer space. This particular flaw demonstrates a classic stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides a direct pathway for local attackers to execute arbitrary code within the target system context. An attacker who gains local access to a vulnerable system can exploit this buffer overflow to overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses and function pointers, ultimately allowing them to redirect program execution flow to malicious code. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and specifically targets the manipulation of program execution flow through memory corruption techniques. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows NT 3.5 which was a server operating system that was widely deployed in enterprise environments during the early 2000s, making it particularly concerning for organizations that had legacy systems in operation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious input that exceeds the buffer capacity within reggo.dll, causing a stack overflow condition that can be manipulated to execute shellcode. The vulnerability's local nature means that the attacker must already have access to the system, either through legitimate user credentials or other initial compromise methods, but once achieved, the attacker can leverage this flaw to gain system-level privileges. This particular flaw highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in software development, particularly for security-critical components that handle system-level operations. The vulnerability also demonstrates the risks associated with legacy software systems that may not receive regular security updates or patches, as Windows NT 3.5 reached end-of-life status years before this vulnerability was discovered, leaving many systems exposed to such attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch for InterScan VirusWall version 3.51 build 1349 or later, which addresses the buffer overflow condition through proper bounds checking mechanisms. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing least privilege principles to limit local access to vulnerable systems, conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected legacy systems, and monitoring system logs for signs of exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, as the vulnerability's local nature means that once an attacker gains access to the system, they can leverage it to execute code with elevated privileges. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy systems may continue to operate without proper security patches.