CVE-2005-0102 in Evolution
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in camel-lock-helper in Evolution 2.0.2 and earlier allows local users or remote malicious POP3 servers to execute arbitrary code via a length value of -1, which leads to a zero byte memory allocation and a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0102 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the camel-lock-helper component of Evolution email client version 2.0.2 and earlier. This issue arises from improper input validation when processing length values in POP3 protocol handling, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by both local users and remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a malicious POP3 server sends a length value of -1, which when processed by the vulnerable code results in a zero byte memory allocation followed by subsequent buffer overflow conditions. This integer overflow vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of integer overflow/underflow, where the system fails to properly handle negative values that should be validated before being used in memory allocation calculations. The flaw demonstrates a classic example of improper boundary checking in memory management operations, where the system does not adequately validate input parameters before using them in arithmetic operations that determine memory allocation sizes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation to encompass remote code execution capabilities that can be leveraged by malicious POP3 servers. When a user connects to a compromised mail server, the attacker can craft a specially formatted message with a length value of -1 that triggers the integer overflow condition. This condition causes the application to allocate zero bytes of memory, which then leads to a subsequent buffer overflow when the system attempts to write data to this improperly allocated memory region. The buffer overflow creates an opportunity for arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Evolution process. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring any special privileges from the attacker, making it a significant threat to email server security and user data integrity. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through code injection, specifically leveraging memory corruption vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0102 require immediate system updates and code validation improvements. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Evolution versions 2.0.3 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the integer overflow condition in camel-lock-helper. The fix implemented in subsequent versions involves proper input validation of length parameters, ensuring that negative values are rejected before being processed in memory allocation calculations. Additionally, system administrators should implement network-level protections such as email filtering rules that can detect and block suspicious POP3 server communications. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual memory allocation patterns and potential buffer overflow attempts in email processing components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input sanitization and proper integer handling in security-critical applications, particularly those involved in network protocol processing. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and mandatory code reviews to prevent similar issues in other components of their email infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust memory management practices and input validation in preventing remote code execution exploits that can compromise entire email systems.