CVE-2002-1940 in LCC-Win32
Summary
by MITRE
LCC-Win32 3.2 compiler, when running on Windows 95, 98, or ME, writes portions of previously used memory after the import table, which could allow attackers to gain sensitive information. NOTE: it has been reported that this problem is due to the OS and not the application.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1940 affects the LCC-Win32 3.2 compiler when executed on legacy Windows operating systems including Windows 95, 98, and ME. This issue represents a classic memory corruption vulnerability that stems from improper memory management practices within the compiler's operation. The problem manifests when the compiler processes code and writes memory contents that should not be accessible, specifically extending beyond the boundaries of the import table structure. This behavior creates a potential information disclosure scenario where attackers can potentially access sensitive data that was previously stored in memory locations adjacent to the import table.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability can be categorized as a buffer over-read condition, which occurs when a program attempts to access memory beyond the allocated boundaries of a data structure. In this case, the compiler's memory handling during import table processing fails to properly bounds-check memory operations, leading to the exposure of previously used memory contents. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a fundamental flaw in memory management that was more prevalent in older operating systems due to less stringent memory protection mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during the compilation process, meaning that any code being compiled could potentially be exploited to extract sensitive information from the compiler's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers could leverage this memory exposure to extract cryptographic keys, passwords, or other sensitive data that might have been temporarily stored in memory during compilation operations. The vulnerability affects systems running on legacy Windows 9x operating systems, which typically had weaker memory protection mechanisms compared to modern operating systems. This makes the impact more severe as these systems lack the memory management protections that would normally prevent such information leakage. The fact that this issue has been attributed to the operating system rather than the application itself suggests that the underlying memory management architecture of Windows 9x systems was fundamentally flawed in handling memory boundaries properly, which aligns with known limitations of these older operating systems.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability are largely constrained by the age of the affected systems and the nature of the underlying issue. The most effective approach involves upgrading to more modern operating systems that provide better memory protection mechanisms and proper bounds checking. For organizations that must continue using these legacy systems, implementing additional memory protection layers or using more secure compilation environments would be advisable. However, given that Windows 9x operating systems are no longer supported and have known security limitations, the recommended approach is to migrate away from these platforms entirely. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper memory management practices in compiler development and underscores the need for robust input validation and memory boundary checking in software development, particularly when targeting operating systems with weaker security models. The issue serves as a historical example of how legacy systems can harbor vulnerabilities that are difficult to remediate without complete system replacement, and demonstrates the critical importance of modernizing outdated infrastructure to maintain security posture.