CVE-2003-1445 in Far Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Far Manager 1.70beta1 and earlier allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long pathname.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1445 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in Far Manager version 1.70beta1 and earlier releases. This issue affects a widely used console-based file manager application that operates within the windows operating system environment. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes file paths that exceed the allocated buffer space, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the Far Manager's pathname handling routines. When a user attempts to access or manipulate files with excessively long pathnames, the application fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This fundamental flaw in memory management creates a condition where adjacent memory locations become overwritten with attacker-controlled data, leading to unpredictable program behavior. The CWE-121 classification applies directly to this vulnerability, as it involves stack-based buffer overflow conditions that result in improper memory access patterns.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system stability and security integrity. Local attackers can exploit this flaw to trigger application crashes, resulting in denial of service conditions that disrupt legitimate user operations. More critically, the buffer overflow condition could potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process, which typically runs with elevated permissions in many system configurations. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly concerning for environments where privilege escalation risks are elevated.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it represents a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks within compromised systems. Attackers could potentially craft malicious pathnames that not only cause crashes but also overwrite critical program memory segments to redirect execution flow. This type of exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers might leverage such vulnerabilities to establish persistent access or escalate privileges. The vulnerability's presence in a file manager application is particularly concerning as these tools often have elevated privileges and are frequently used by system administrators.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Far Manager installations to versions that address the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should implement input validation controls and monitor for anomalous pathnames that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, privilege separation techniques should be employed to minimize the impact of potential exploitation, ensuring that file manager applications do not run with unnecessary elevated privileges. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management in software development practices, particularly for applications that handle user-provided data in system-critical components.