CVE-2002-1889 in Logsurfer
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one buffer overflow in the context_action function in context.c of Logsurfer 1.41 through 1.5a allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a malformed log entry.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1889 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the logsurfer log monitoring tool version 1.41 through 1.5a. This issue manifests within the context_action function located in the context.c source file, where an off-by-one error creates a condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking mechanisms that fail to properly handle malformed log entries, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the context_action function processing log entries without sufficient bounds checking, allowing an attacker to craft specially formatted log data that triggers the buffer overflow condition. When logsurfer processes these malformed entries, the off-by-one error causes the program to write one byte beyond the allocated buffer space, potentially corrupting adjacent memory structures and leading to program termination. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, specifically classified as a heap overflow when considering the memory management patterns in the logsurfer application. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the condition without requiring local access, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where logs are processed from external sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1889 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can effectively render the logsurfer application unusable and compromise the integrity of log monitoring operations. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability causes the application to crash and terminate, creating a denial of service condition that prevents system administrators from receiving critical log information. This disruption can mask other security events or legitimate system issues that logsurfer would normally alert about, potentially allowing malicious activities to go undetected. The attack vector through malformed log entries means that even legitimate log sources can become attack vectors if they contain untrusted data or if an attacker has access to modify log content. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, where adversaries leverage application-level flaws to disrupt services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the logsurfer application to versions that address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and boundary checking. System administrators should implement input sanitization measures that filter or reject malformed log entries before they reach the vulnerable processing functions. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious log entry patterns may help detect exploitation attempts. The fix should incorporate proper bounds checking mechanisms that prevent buffer overflows, including the use of safe string handling functions and memory allocation practices that account for proper buffer sizing. Regular security assessments of log processing applications should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and implementing application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques can provide additional protection layers against similar attacks. Organizations should also establish robust log monitoring procedures that can detect when services become unavailable due to such attacks, ensuring that the impact of exploitation is minimized and that recovery procedures are in place.