CVE-2003-0932 in omega-rpg
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in omega-rpg 0.90 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) command line or (2) environment variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0932 represents a classic buffer overflow flaw in the omega-rpg 0.90 software package, which operates within a local privilege escalation context. This vulnerability manifests when the application processes command line arguments or environment variables that exceed predetermined buffer limits, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The flaw specifically affects the software's handling of user input through these two primary vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where local users might have access to execute the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the omega-rpg application's argument parsing routines. When a local user provides command line arguments or sets environment variables that exceed the allocated buffer space, the application fails to properly terminate or truncate the input data, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption typically targets return addresses or function pointers, allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the buffer or adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue because it requires local system access to exploit but can potentially allow execution with elevated privileges depending on how the vulnerable application is configured and executed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors within the compromised environment. Local users who can execute the omega-rpg application can leverage this vulnerability to bypass normal security controls and potentially compromise the entire system. The exploitability of this flaw is enhanced by the fact that it requires minimal privileges to trigger, making it particularly attractive to attackers who may have limited access to the system. Additionally, the vulnerability affects the application's environment variable handling, which means that even indirect exploitation methods through environment manipulation can be effective, increasing the attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate code-level issues and broader system security practices. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the omega-rpg application, ensuring that command line arguments and environment variables are properly truncated or rejected when they exceed acceptable lengths. This approach aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions as a fundamental security weakness requiring proper memory management. System administrators should also consider implementing privilege separation techniques, ensuring that the vulnerable application runs with minimal required privileges and that environment variable handling is restricted. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting local persistence and privilege abuse methods that attackers might use to maintain access after initial exploitation. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be implemented to address similar vulnerabilities in other applications, as this type of buffer overflow represents a common class of security flaws that continues to appear in legacy software systems. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual command line argument patterns or environment variable modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities.