CVE-2005-0074 in xpcd
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in pcdsvgaview in xpcd 2.08 allows local users to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0074 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the pcdsvgaview component of xpcd version 2.08. This issue resides in the handling of input data within the graphical video viewer functionality, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation that can result in arbitrary code execution on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically affects local users who can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise the entire system. The buffer overflow occurs when the application processes user-supplied data without proper bounds checking, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations and manipulate program execution flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the pcdsvgaview module, which is part of the broader xpcd multimedia framework designed for handling CD-ROM and DVD content. When the application processes certain video or audio file formats, it fails to properly validate the length of incoming data streams, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited through carefully crafted input. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability manifests as a classic stack-based buffer overflow, where attacker-controlled data exceeds the allocated buffer size and corrupts return addresses or other critical program variables.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running xpcd 2.08, particularly in environments where local user access is prevalent or where users might be tricked into opening malicious media files. The local privilege escalation aspect means that any user with access to the system can potentially leverage this vulnerability to execute code with the privileges of the affected application or even the system itself. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted video or audio files that trigger the buffer overflow when processed by pcdsvgaview, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond accessing the vulnerable application, making it suitable for automated exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0074 should prioritize immediate patching of the xpcd application to version 2.09 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should also implement strict input validation measures and consider disabling or removing the vulnerable pcdsvgaview component if it is not essential for operations. Additional protective measures include restricting local user access to multimedia applications, implementing proper memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, and employing address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in preventing buffer overflow exploits, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script injection, where the buffer overflow enables arbitrary code execution. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in legacy applications, as this vulnerability represents a common class of flaws that continue to affect software systems despite decades of awareness and mitigation efforts.