CVE-2003-0362 in gPS
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in gPS before 0.10.2 may allow local users to cause a denial of service (SIGSEGV) in rgpsp via long command lines.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0362 represents a classic buffer overflow flaw within the gPS software package, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.10.2. This issue resides within the rgpsp component of the software ecosystem, where improper input validation leads to memory corruption vulnerabilities. The flaw manifests when the application processes command line arguments that exceed predetermined buffer limits, creating a condition where adjacent memory regions become overwritten or corrupted. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions as critical security flaws that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental flaw in how the rgpsp utility handles command line parameter processing. When a local user provides an excessively long command line argument, the application fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This results in memory overwrite conditions that can cause the application to crash with a segmentation fault signal SIGSEGV. The buffer overflow occurs because the software does not implement proper bounds checking or input sanitization mechanisms before processing user-provided command line data. The vulnerability is classified as local privilege escalation in nature since it requires local system access to exploit, but the impact can be severe in terms of system availability and stability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant denial of service conditions that can disrupt legitimate system operations. The SIGSEGV signal generated by the buffer overflow causes the rgpsp process to terminate unexpectedly, potentially leading to cascading failures if the application is critical to system functionality. Network services or automated processes that depend on gPS functionality may experience intermittent outages or complete service interruptions. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks if attackers can leverage the buffer overflow to achieve arbitrary code execution, though the current assessment indicates primarily denial of service impacts. This type of vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service, though the specific technique may be classified under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software patching and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to gPS version 0.10.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and buffer management mechanisms. System administrators should also implement input length restrictions and command line argument validation at the operating system level to prevent exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack protections. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper buffer management in software development, emphasizing that even seemingly simple applications require robust security controls to prevent exploitation. Organizations should also establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar issues in legacy software components and ensure timely patch management across all system components.