CVE-2004-1916 in LCDProc
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in LCDProc 0.4.1, and possibly other 0.4.x versions up to 0.4.4, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long invalid command to parse_all_client_messages function, or (2) long argv command to test_func_func function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1916 represents a critical security flaw in LCDProc versions 0.4.1 through 0.4.4, specifically targeting buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited remotely to execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability affects the LCDProc software, which is designed to interface with LCD displays and provide system monitoring capabilities through various communication protocols. The affected versions of LCDProc were widely used in server environments where system status information needed to be displayed on LCD panels, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise and data center deployments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within two distinct functions of the LCDProc software. The first exploit vector targets the parse_all_client_messages function, where a maliciously crafted long invalid command can trigger a buffer overflow condition. This occurs when the software fails to properly validate the length of incoming commands before processing them, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the program's execution stack. The second vulnerability exists in the test_func_func function where long argv command arguments can similarly cause buffer overflows, demonstrating a pattern of insufficient boundary checking throughout the codebase. Both vulnerabilities are classified as buffer overflows under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited for code execution.
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 affected systems. This remote code execution capability allows attackers to gain full control over the vulnerable LCDProc service, potentially leading to system compromise, data exfiltration, or use as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the affected service port. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which covers exploitation of remote services, and represents a significant risk to organizations that expose LCDProc services to untrusted networks or the internet.
The exploitation of these buffer overflows demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the software's input handling mechanisms, where proper bounds checking and memory management practices were not adequately implemented. The affected functions do not perform adequate validation of input parameters before copying them into fixed-size buffers, creating predictable memory corruption conditions that can be systematically exploited. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often result from poor coding practices and inadequate code review processes that fail to identify memory safety issues during development. Organizations using LCDProc in production environments should immediately implement mitigation strategies including network segmentation, service hardening, and deployment of updated software versions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of applying security patches promptly and maintaining awareness of potential remote code execution threats in network services, particularly those that process external input without proper validation.