CVE-2004-1868 in Esignal
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in WinSig.exe in eSignal 7.5 and 7.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long STREAMQUOTE tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1868 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in the WinSig.exe component of eSignal version 7.5 and 7.6. This issue resides within the handling of STREAMQUOTE tags, which are used for processing financial data streams in the eSignal trading platform. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly bounds-check the length of data processed during the parsing of these specific tags. When an attacker crafts a maliciously long STREAMQUOTE tag and delivers it to a vulnerable system, the excessive data input overflows the allocated stack buffer, potentially corrupting adjacent memory locations and allowing for arbitrary code execution. This represents a classic stack buffer overflow vulnerability that aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to completely compromise systems running vulnerable versions of eSignal. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it enables remote exploitation without requiring any authentication or privileged access, making it highly attractive to threat actors. The vulnerability affects systems that process financial data streams through eSignal's WinSig.exe module, which could include trading platforms, financial analysis systems, and automated trading environments. Attackers could leverage this flaw to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive financial data, or disrupt trading operations, particularly in environments where eSignal is used for real-time market data processing and automated trading decisions.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2004-1868 follows established patterns for stack buffer overflow attacks, typically involving the construction of a specially crafted payload that includes a long STREAMQUOTE tag designed to overflow the stack buffer. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques such as T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as successful exploitation would likely require the attacker to establish persistence within the compromised system. The memory corruption resulting from this overflow could be leveraged to redirect program execution flow, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the WinSig.exe process. Given the nature of financial trading systems, the exploitation of this vulnerability could have severe implications for both system integrity and financial security, particularly in environments where automated trading decisions are made based on the processed data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1868 should focus on immediate patching of affected eSignal installations, as the vendor would have released updates addressing this specific buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running eSignal, particularly those processing external financial data streams. Input validation measures should be strengthened at the application level to prevent malformed STREAMQUOTE tags from being processed, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous data patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of financial trading platforms should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems, as this vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing risks associated with older software versions that may not receive continued security support. The implementation of address space layout randomization and stack canaries could provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though the most effective approach remains the immediate application of vendor-provided security patches to eliminate the vulnerability at its source.