CVE-2003-0721 in Pine
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in rfc2231_get_param from strings.c in PINE before 4.58 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an email that causes an out-of-bounds array access using a negative number.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0721 represents a critical integer signedness error within the PINE email client software version 4.57 and earlier. This flaw exists in the rfc2231_get_param function located in the strings.c source file, where improper handling of integer values leads to a condition that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from the software's failure to properly validate or sanitize integer inputs, specifically when processing email parameters that follow the RFC 2231 encoding standard for parameter values in MIME headers. When a maliciously crafted email contains a negative integer value in a parameter, the application's handling of this value results in an integer underflow condition that ultimately manifests as an out-of-bounds array access. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, specifically manifesting as an integer signedness error that enables attackers to manipulate memory access patterns. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote code execution, meaning an attacker could potentially execute arbitrary code on a victim's system simply by receiving a specially crafted email message. The attack vector requires no authentication or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous in email environments where users frequently receive messages from untrusted sources. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in email clients to gain unauthorized access to systems. The integer signedness error creates a predictable memory access pattern that can be manipulated to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. The flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs due to improper bounds checking in the parameter parsing logic. Attackers can exploit this by crafting an email message containing a negative integer value in an encoded parameter field, which when processed by the vulnerable PINE client triggers the out-of-bounds array access. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of proper integer handling in security-sensitive applications. The affected version range indicates that this was a long-standing issue that required immediate patching, as the vulnerability could be exploited by attackers without any local access or special privileges. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in email clients since they process untrusted data from external sources and often run with elevated privileges to access system resources. The remediation for this vulnerability involves updating to PINE version 4.58 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly handle integer values and prevent the signedness error from occurring. Additionally, organizations should implement email filtering and sandboxing measures to reduce exposure to such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices, particularly around integer handling and bounds checking, which are fundamental requirements in the OWASP Top Ten and other security standards. Proper input validation and sanitization of all external data, including email headers and parameters, should be implemented to prevent similar issues in other applications. The security implications extend beyond simple code execution to potential privilege escalation and persistent access to compromised systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where email is a primary communication channel.