CVE-2002-0468 in Listar
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflows in Ecartis (formerly Listar) 1.0.0 in snapshot 20020427 and earlier allow local users to gain privileges via (1) a long command line argument, which is not properly handled in core.c, or possibly via bad uses of sprintf() in (2) moderate.c, (3) lcgi.c, (4) fileapi.c, (5) cookie.c, (6) codes.c, or other files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0468 represents a critical buffer overflow issue within Ecartis version 1.0.0 and earlier snapshots, specifically from the 20020427 release. This software serves as a mailing list management system that handles various user inputs through command line arguments and file operations, making it susceptible to exploitation by local attackers who can manipulate these input handling mechanisms to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical flaw manifests in multiple locations within the Ecartis codebase where unsafe string operations occur, particularly in the core.c file where command line arguments are processed without proper bounds checking. The vulnerability extends beyond the primary core.c file to include several other modules such as moderate.c, lcgi.c, fileapi.c, cookie.c, and codes.c, all of which utilize potentially dangerous sprintf() functions that do not validate input lengths before writing to fixed-size buffers. This widespread occurrence indicates a systemic coding practice issue where developers failed to implement proper input sanitization and buffer boundary validation across the application's functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant security risk for systems running Ecartis as it allows local users to escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrative access. The attack vector requires local system access but provides a pathway for privilege escalation that could enable attackers to gain full control over the mailing list server, potentially compromising sensitive email communications, user data, and system resources. The impact extends beyond immediate privilege escalation to include potential data exfiltration, service disruption, and further lateral movement within network environments where such systems might be deployed.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, indicating that both stack and heap memory corruption can occur through these unsafe string operations. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits, and potentially T1548.001 for local account manipulation. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no network access, making it particularly dangerous for systems where local access is possible or where privilege escalation could be achieved through other means.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate code patches to implement proper bounds checking and input validation across all affected modules, replacing unsafe sprintf() calls with safer alternatives like snprintf() that enforce buffer size limitations. System administrators should also implement least privilege principles, restrict local access to Ecartis installations, and monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves complete code review and refactoring to eliminate all instances of unsafe buffer operations, with thorough testing to ensure that input validation is consistently applied throughout the application's architecture. Regular security assessments and adherence to secure coding practices should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases of the software.