CVE-2005-0763 in Midnight Commander
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Midnight Commander (mc) 4.5.55 and earlier may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0763 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Midnight Commander version 4.5.55 and earlier installations. This file manager application, widely used in Unix and Linux environments, contains a flaw in its handling of user-supplied input that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The buffer overflow occurs when the application processes certain input parameters without proper bounds checking, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially gain control over the executing process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the mc application's core functionality. When users interact with the file manager, particularly during operations involving file names, directory paths, or other user-provided data, the application fails to properly validate the length of input strings before copying them into fixed-size buffers. This classic programming error allows attackers to craft malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow. The flaw is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking enables attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations including return addresses and function parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within compromised systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this buffer overflow could gain unauthorized access to the system with the privileges of the mc process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems where Midnight Commander is installed and actively used, particularly in environments where users might encounter untrusted file names or directory structures. Given that mc is commonly used for file management tasks across various Unix-like systems, the attack surface is substantial and the potential for exploitation is high, especially when users are not properly educated about the risks of interacting with untrusted file systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as the most effective solution involves upgrading to Midnight Commander version 4.5.56 or later where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running mc to untrusted networks or users. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary mc functionality, implementing proper user input sanitization at the application level, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in software development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage such flaws to execute malicious commands through compromised applications. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of vulnerable software versions and establish regular patch management procedures to address similar vulnerabilities proactively.