CVE-2002-0198 in ripMime
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in plDaniels ripMime 1.2.6 and earlier, as used in other programs such as xamime and inflex, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an attachment in a long filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0198 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting several email processing applications that utilize the plDaniels ripMime library version 1.2.6 or earlier. This issue specifically manifests when these programs encounter email attachments with excessively long filenames, creating a condition where memory boundaries are exceeded during processing. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking within the filename handling routines of these applications, which form part of the broader email MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) parsing infrastructure. The affected software includes not only ripMime itself but also derivative applications such as xamime and inflex, all of which share the same vulnerable codebase and processing logic.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious email containing an attachment with a filename that exceeds the allocated buffer size in the application's memory structure. During normal processing, the application attempts to store this excessively long filename in a fixed-size buffer without proper bounds checking, causing the overflow to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can potentially overwrite critical program variables, return addresses, or function pointers, allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution without requiring any local privileges, making it a significant threat to email server security and client-side applications. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checks allow attackers to overwrite stack data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable applications. Email servers and clients that process untrusted email content become prime targets for exploitation, potentially allowing attackers to gain full system control, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The widespread adoption of these email processing libraries across various platforms and applications amplifies the potential attack surface, as multiple systems could be simultaneously vulnerable. Security professionals must consider the implications for email security infrastructure, particularly in environments where automated email processing and attachment handling are common. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and memory safety practices in network-facing applications, as even seemingly benign operations like filename processing can become attack vectors when proper safeguards are absent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0198 should focus on immediate patching of affected applications and libraries to versions that include proper buffer size validation and bounds checking. System administrators should implement email filtering rules that restrict or sanitize attachment filenames to prevent exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where vulnerable applications are in use. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and remote code execution techniques, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches including network segmentation, email content filtering, and regular security updates. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, comprehensive vulnerability assessment programs should identify all systems using affected libraries and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues in the future, as this vulnerability highlights the long-term security implications of legacy code vulnerabilities in widely-deployed software components.