CVE-2005-0308 in W32Dasm
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the wsprintf function in W32Dasm 8.93 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large import or export function name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0308 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the wsprintf function implementation in W32Dasm version 8.93 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the disassembler tool used for analyzing binary executables and reverse engineering software components. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation when processing function names during import and export operations, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of import or export function names that exceed the allocated buffer space within the wsprintf function. When W32Dasm processes these oversized function names, the buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses or critical program variables. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, specifically classified as a stack-based buffer overflow that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a means to compromise the integrity of the disassembly environment. Since W32Dasm is commonly used for security analysis, malware research, and reverse engineering tasks, an attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain complete control over the system running the vulnerable software. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not need physical access to the target system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where disassembler tools might be used to analyze potentially malicious files received from untrusted sources.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to code injection and privilege escalation. Attackers could leverage this flaw to inject malicious code into the disassembler process, potentially leading to persistent access or data exfiltration. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that W32Dasm is often used in security research and malware analysis, making it a valuable target for threat actors seeking to compromise security analysis environments. Organizations that rely on disassembly tools for software security assessment and reverse engineering activities face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it could be exploited to undermine the integrity of their security analysis processes and potentially compromise the security of their entire infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the W32Dasm software to version 8.94 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections. Additionally, organizations should implement input validation measures and consider using more secure alternatives for binary analysis that have been designed with modern security practices in mind. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other disassembly and reverse engineering tools within the organization's security infrastructure.