CVE-2002-1155 in KON
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in KON kon2 0.3.9b and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long -Coding command line argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1155 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the KON kon2 0.3.9b software package and earlier versions. This issue specifically manifests when the application processes command line arguments, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The vulnerability resides in the handling of the -Coding command line parameter, which serves as the primary attack vector for this particular buffer overflow scenario.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the KON kon2 application's argument parsing mechanism. When a local user provides an excessively long -Coding command line argument, the software fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer allocated in memory. This fundamental flaw in memory management creates a condition where user-supplied data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the targeted process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for systems running affected versions of KON kon2 software. Local privilege escalation becomes possible, enabling attackers who already have access to the system to elevate their privileges and potentially gain administrative control over the affected system. The attack requires only local access to the system, making it particularly concerning as it can be exploited by users with minimal privileges who may have legitimate access to the system for other purposes. The vulnerability can be exploited to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to a patched version of the KON kon2 software where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should immediately apply available security patches or upgrade to versions that have resolved this specific memory management flaw. Additionally, implementing proper input validation controls at the application level can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other software components. Organizations should also consider implementing privilege separation techniques and access controls to minimize the potential impact of such local privilege escalation vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can create exploitable conditions that allow for arbitrary code execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically local privilege escalation, where adversaries leverage software flaws to gain elevated system privileges.