CVE-2004-0600 in Samba
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Samba Web Administration Tool (SWAT) in Samba 3.0.2 to 3.0.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an invalid base-64 character during HTTP basic authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0600 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Samba Web Administration Tool component that was present in Samba versions 3.0.2 through 3.0.4. This issue resides in the HTTP basic authentication handling mechanism of SWAT, which is a web-based interface for managing Samba server configurations. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system processes base-64 encoded authentication credentials, creating a scenario where malicious input can cause memory corruption. This buffer overflow vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and falls within the ATT&CK framework's execution phase under technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs during the authentication process when the SWAT component receives HTTP basic authentication headers containing malformed base-64 encoded data. When the system attempts to decode these invalid characters, it fails to properly validate the input length against the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by remote attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This overflow can potentially overwrite critical program execution pointers or return addresses, allowing attackers to redirect program flow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Samba service account. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates over HTTP connections and requires no prior authentication, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited from any network location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a pathway to gain unauthorized access to Samba server configurations and potentially escalate privileges within the network. Since SWAT was designed to provide administrative access to Samba services, successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify server settings, create or modify user accounts, access shared resources, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects organizations running affected Samba versions where SWAT is enabled, which was common in enterprise environments that required web-based administrative interfaces. Network administrators who had not properly configured access controls or firewall rules around the SWAT interface were particularly at risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited without requiring any authentication credentials to initiate the attack.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate patching of affected Samba installations to versions 3.0.5 or later where the buffer overflow has been addressed. Organizations should disable the SWAT interface if it is not actively required for administrative tasks, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the SWAT web interface to only trusted administrative networks. Additionally, monitoring for unusual authentication patterns and failed login attempts can help detect exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed base-64 encoded data in HTTP headers, as this specific pattern is characteristic of exploitation attempts for this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that patched systems maintain all necessary functionality while eliminating the buffer overflow condition that made exploitation possible.