CVE-2004-0377 in Perl
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the win32_stat function for (1) ActiveState s ActivePerl and (2) Larry Wall s Perl before 5.8.3 allows local or remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via filenames that end in a backslash character.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0377 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the win32_stat function of perl implementations, specifically affecting ActiveState ActivePerl and Larry Wall s Perl versions prior to 5.8.3. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of filenames that conclude with a backslash character, creating a condition where memory allocation becomes insufficient to accommodate the processed filename data. The flaw exists at the core of file system interaction functions that are fundamental to perl's operation across windows platforms, making it particularly dangerous due to the widespread use of perl in system administration and web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the win32_stat function which is responsible for retrieving file status information on windows systems. When a filename ending in a backslash is processed, the function fails to properly terminate or validate the string buffer before performing operations that could overflow adjacent memory regions. This buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates through the exploitation of memory corruption principles where the backslash character triggers specific parsing behaviors that bypass normal input validation mechanisms. According to CWE-121, this represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local exploitation to include remote attack scenarios, making it particularly concerning for web servers and networked applications that process user-supplied filenames. Attackers can craft malicious filenames ending in backslashes that, when processed by perl applications, trigger the buffer overflow condition and allow for arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the perl process. This vulnerability affects not only local users but also remote attackers who can leverage it through web applications or network services that utilize perl for file operations. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that perl is commonly used in CGI scripts and web applications, where user input is frequently processed without adequate validation, creating multiple attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0377 require immediate patching of affected perl installations to version 5.8.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and buffer size management in the win32_stat function. System administrators should implement input sanitization measures that validate and filter filenames before processing, particularly those ending with special characters like backslashes. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the impact if exploitation occurs, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for both defensive measures and detection capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of perl scripts to known good binaries and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar memory corruption issues in other system components.