CVE-2004-2609 in PowerQuest DeployCenter
Summary
by MITRE
The stuffit.com executable on Symantec PowerQuest DeployCenter 5.5 boot disks allows local users to obtain sensitive information (an unencrypted password for a Windows domain account) via four "stuffit /f:stuffit.dat" invocations, possibly due to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2609 represents a critical security flaw within Symantec PowerQuest DeployCenter 5.5 boot disks, specifically affecting the stuffit.com executable component. This issue demonstrates how seemingly innocuous system utilities can harbor significant security risks when improperly implemented. The vulnerability exists in the context of disk-based deployment tools that are commonly used for system imaging and enterprise deployment scenarios, where security is paramount. The affected software operates in environments where sensitive credentials and system information must be protected from unauthorized access, making this flaw particularly concerning for organizations relying on such deployment solutions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a buffer overflow condition within the stuffit.com executable that processes command-line arguments. When local users execute the specific sequence of four "stuffit /f:stuffit.dat" invocations, the program fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to memory corruption that exposes sensitive data. This buffer overflow occurs during the file extraction process where the executable does not adequately check the length of the filename parameter passed to the /f switch. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the program's memory layout to read beyond allocated buffers, thereby accessing adjacent memory regions containing unencrypted password information for Windows domain accounts. This represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability that falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking permits memory access beyond intended limits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to Windows domain account credentials that could be used for lateral movement within network environments. Local users who can execute the stuffit.com utility gain the ability to extract sensitive information from the boot disk environment, potentially compromising the security of entire network infrastructures. This vulnerability undermines the security model of the deployment environment, as it allows privilege escalation through information gathering rather than direct exploitation. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed from within the boot disk environment, making it difficult to detect and prevent. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1005 (Data from Local System) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) techniques, as it leverages legitimate system utilities to extract sensitive information and potentially gain persistent access through compromised credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2609 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should immediately patch or upgrade to versions of Symantec PowerQuest DeployCenter that address this buffer overflow issue, as the vendor likely released a security update to fix the input validation flaw. System administrators should implement strict access controls to limit who can execute the stuffit.com utility and monitor for suspicious command-line invocations that match the vulnerable pattern. The fix should involve implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the stuffit.com executable to prevent buffer overflows when processing the /f parameter. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult. Security monitoring should include detection of the specific command sequences that trigger this vulnerability, as well as regular audits of boot disk environments to ensure no unauthorized modifications have occurred. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in system utilities, particularly those that operate with elevated privileges during system deployment processes.