CVE-2002-2224 in PGP Freeware
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in PGPFreeware 7.03 running on Windows NT 4.0 SP6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via crafted Internet Key Exchange (IKE) response packets, possibly including (1) a large Security Parameter Index (SPI) field, (2) large number of payloads, or (3) a long payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2224 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within PGPFreeware 7.03 when operating on Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6 systems. This security weakness specifically manifests in the handling of Internet Key Exchange protocol responses, which forms a fundamental component of IPsec security implementations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software's IKE processing routines, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through malformed network packets. The affected environment presents particular risk due to the combination of an outdated operating system platform and proprietary cryptographic software that fails to properly sanitize incoming network traffic. This creates a scenario where remote adversaries can manipulate the application's memory management through carefully crafted malicious packets, potentially leading to system compromise or service disruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through three distinct attack vectors that all leverage buffer overflow conditions in the IKE response processing code. The first vector involves sending packets containing an excessively large Security Parameter Index field, which exceeds the allocated buffer space in the application's memory allocation. The second vector exploits the handling of packets with an excessive number of payloads, causing memory corruption when the application attempts to process these malformed structures. The third vector targets long payload fields that exceed the expected buffer boundaries, creating similar memory corruption conditions. These attack vectors align with common software security weaknesses categorized under CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-2224 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable arbitrary code execution within the compromised system. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, enabling them to redirect program execution flow. This capability transforms a simple service disruption into a potential full system compromise, particularly concerning the Windows NT 4.0 environment which lacks modern memory protection mechanisms. The vulnerability affects systems where IPsec functionality is enabled and actively processing IKE communications, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure components, VPN servers, and security appliances that rely on PGP software implementations. The combination of the outdated Windows NT 4.0 platform with the vulnerable PGP Freeware application creates an environment with limited security mitigations, as the older operating system lacks modern exploit protection features such as DEP, ASLR, or stack canaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate software remediation and broader security posture considerations. The primary recommendation involves upgrading from the vulnerable PGPFreeware 7.03 version to a patched or newer version that properly validates IKE response packet structures and implements adequate buffer management. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious IKE traffic, particularly in environments where IPsec services are not essential. The implementation of network-based intrusion detection systems can help identify and block suspicious IKE packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should disable unnecessary IPsec services and IKE processing capabilities when they are not required for business operations, reducing the attack surface. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous network traffic patterns that may indicate buffer overflow exploitation attempts, particularly around the specific SPI field and payload size parameters that trigger the vulnerability. The remediation process should also include comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable systems running similar outdated cryptographic software implementations.