CVE-2003-1339 in Ezmeeting
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in eZnet.exe, as used in eZ (a) eZphotoshare, (b) eZmeeting, (c) eZnetwork, and (d) eZshare allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code, as demonstrated via (1) a long GET request and (2) a long operation or autologin parameter to SwEzModule.dll.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1339 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in eZnet.exe component that forms part of several eZ software products including eZphotoshare, eZmeeting, eZnetwork, and eZshare. This vulnerability exists within the SwEzModule.dll library which processes incoming requests and handles authentication parameters. The flaw manifests when the application receives specially crafted input through GET requests or operation parameters, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities. The attack vector specifically targets the handling of user-supplied input during the processing of web requests, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where remote exploitation is possible.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit the buffer overflow condition through two primary methods: sending excessively long GET requests or providing overly long operation or autologin parameters. When these malformed inputs are processed by the SwEzModule.dll component, the application fails to properly validate input length against the fixed-size buffer allocated on the stack. This results in memory corruption that can overwrite adjacent stack frames, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crash. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that the attacker can manipulate the return address of the function call, redirecting program execution flow to malicious code injected into the buffer space. This type of exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as it leverages the application's normal operation to execute malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full system compromise potential. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow can cause the eZ applications to crash and terminate unexpectedly, creating denial of service conditions that disrupt legitimate user access to the services. However, the more severe implications arise when the vulnerability is leveraged for code execution, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system running the vulnerable software. This compromise can lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. Organizations running these eZ applications face significant risk as the vulnerability affects multiple interconnected software modules, potentially creating a broader attack surface. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for internet-facing applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1339 should include immediate patching of affected eZ software versions, implementing input validation controls to prevent oversized parameters from reaching the vulnerable components, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application firewalls and web application firewalls to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application. The recommended approach involves applying vendor-supplied security patches that address the specific buffer overflow conditions in SwEzModule.dll, while also implementing defensive programming practices such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap-based buffer overflow protections. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, particularly given the vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 which requires fundamental changes to how buffer management is handled in software applications. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security testing and code review procedures to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the eZ software suite.