CVE-2004-0771 in F-Secure
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the extract_one function from lhext.c in LHA may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long w (working directory) command line option, a different issue than CVE-2004-0769. NOTE: this issue may be REJECTED if there are not any cases in which LHA is setuid or is otherwise used across security boundaries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0771 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the LHA compression utility's lhext.c source file, specifically within the extract_one function. This flaw manifests when processing command line arguments, particularly the w (working directory) option, where an attacker can craft a maliciously long argument that exceeds the allocated buffer space. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when data is written beyond the bounds of a fixed-length buffer allocated on the stack, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires that the LHA utility be executed with elevated privileges or in a security-sensitive context where it operates across trust boundaries. The buffer overflow can be leveraged to overwrite the stack frame, potentially allowing an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the LHA process. This is particularly concerning in scenarios where LHA is installed with setuid permissions, as the vulnerability could enable privilege escalation attacks. The issue is distinct from CVE-2004-0769, indicating that this represents a separate code path or function within the same software family that contains similar but not identical exploitable conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially compromise entire systems when LHA is used in environments where it processes untrusted input from multiple sources. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability through various attack vectors including maliciously crafted archive files, command line arguments, or even network-based delivery mechanisms where LHA is invoked by other applications. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a specific context where the target system uses LHA in a privileged manner, making it a significant concern for system administrators who must evaluate whether their installations of LHA are operating in security-sensitive environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as attackers could leverage the arbitrary code execution capability to establish persistent access or escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0771 should focus on both immediate and long-term solutions to address the underlying buffer overflow condition. System administrators should first assess whether their installations of LHA are running with setuid permissions or in contexts where they process untrusted input from untrusted users. If LHA is not required with elevated privileges, the most effective immediate mitigation is to remove setuid permissions from the LHA binary. Additionally, implementing proper bounds checking and input validation within the extract_one function would prevent the buffer overflow from occurring in the first place. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions, as newer releases of LHA should have addressed this issue through proper memory management practices and bounds checking. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring for unusual command line arguments or file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of thorough input validation in system utilities that may be invoked with elevated privileges or in multi-user environments where trust boundaries exist.