CVE-2004-1258 in abcm2ps
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the put_words function in subs.c for abcm2ps 3.7.20 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted ABC files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1258 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the abcm2ps software version 3.7.20, specifically within the put_words function located in the subs.c source file. This issue arises during the processing of ABC music notation files, which are commonly used for representing musical scores in text format. The buffer overflow occurs when the software handles specially crafted ABC files that contain excessive data in certain fields, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the put_words function. When abcm2ps processes ABC files, it reads and interprets various musical elements including note sequences, chord progressions, and metadata fields. The function fails to properly validate the length of data being written to internal buffers, allowing attackers to overflow these memory structures. This flaw falls under the CWE-121 CWE category for stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking enables attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of abcm2ps. Attackers can craft malicious ABC files that, when processed by the software, trigger the buffer overflow condition and potentially gain complete control over the affected system. This represents a significant security risk in environments where users might unknowingly process ABC files from untrusted sources, particularly in web-based applications or automated processing systems that accept user-uploaded musical notation files. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1258 should prioritize immediate patching of affected abcm2ps installations to version 3.7.21 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement input validation measures that limit the size and complexity of ABC files processed by abcm2ps, particularly in multi-user environments or web applications. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of systems running abcm2ps to untrusted networks or user populations. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of abcm2ps to authorized users and environments can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious patterns in ABC file processing and monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of software dependencies and comprehensive vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other applications processing user-supplied data. The fix for this vulnerability specifically addresses the memory management issue by implementing proper bounds checking and input validation, ensuring that data written to internal buffers does not exceed allocated memory boundaries.