CVE-2004-1120 in Download Accelerator
Summary
by MITRE
Mulitple buffer overflows in (1) http.c, (2) http-retr.c, (3) main.c and other code that handles network protocols in ProZilla 1.3.6-r2 and earlier allow remote servers to execute arbitrary code via a long Location header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1120 represents a critical security flaw affecting ProZilla version 1.3.6-r2 and earlier, where multiple buffer overflow conditions exist within the application's network protocol handling components. This vulnerability specifically targets the http.c, http-retr.c, and main.c source files, which collectively manage HTTP protocol interactions and network data processing. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices when processing network responses, particularly those containing Location headers that are excessively long. These buffer overflows occur during the parsing and handling of HTTP responses from remote servers, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of improper bounds checking within the network protocol handlers. When ProZilla receives an HTTP response containing an abnormally long Location header, the application fails to properly validate the header length before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker-controlled input to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability affects the core protocol handling mechanisms that process HTTP redirects, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered simply by visiting a malicious website or receiving a specially crafted HTTP response. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflows, both of which are common attack vectors in network protocol implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be exploited to gain complete control over the affected system running ProZilla. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the ProZilla process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that users need only interact with malicious websites or network services to be vulnerable, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing scenarios. Network protocol handlers are fundamental components in web clients, and this vulnerability effectively compromises the security model of the entire application. The exploitation can result in data theft, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within networks where ProZilla is deployed, making it a significant concern for enterprise security environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of ProZilla to version 1.3.6-r3 or later, which contains the necessary memory boundary checks and input validation fixes. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect and block malicious Location headers that exceed reasonable length limits, while also considering network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in network protocol implementations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also implement automated patch management systems to ensure timely remediation of similar vulnerabilities in other network protocol handling applications. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and interacting with potentially malicious network responses, as user interaction remains a critical factor in successful exploitation of this class of vulnerability.