CVE-2005-1187 in WinHex
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in WinHex 12.05 SR-14, and possibly other versions, may allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long file name argument. NOTE: since this overflow is in the command line of an unprivileged program, it is highly likely that this is not a vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1187 represents a heap-based buffer overflow condition discovered in WinHex version 12.05 SR-14 and potentially other iterations of this forensic data recovery software. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses heap-based buffer overflows that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on heap-allocated memory regions. The flaw manifests when the application processes command line arguments containing excessively long file names, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the WinHex application's argument parsing mechanism. When a malicious user provides an argument exceeding the allocated buffer size, the application fails to properly terminate or truncate the input before processing it, leading to memory corruption in the heap allocation space. This heap corruption can potentially overwrite critical data structures, function pointers, or return addresses, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's classification as heap-based indicates that the overflow occurs in dynamically allocated memory rather than on the stack, making exploitation more complex but not impossible.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant security risk particularly in environments where untrusted users might have access to execute the WinHex application. While the description notes that since this overflow occurs in an unprivileged program, it may not constitute a critical vulnerability, the potential for arbitrary code execution remains a serious concern. The attack vector requires a user to execute the application with malicious command line arguments, which could occur through social engineering, phishing attacks, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities that might lead to execution of the vulnerable software. The impact is further amplified by the fact that WinHex is commonly used for forensic analysis and data recovery, making it a potentially attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise systems through legitimate software usage.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the application. Software vendors should implement proper bounds checking on all command line arguments and enforce maximum length limitations for file name inputs. Additionally, memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention should be considered to reduce the exploitability of such buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.003, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, particularly when attackers leverage command line arguments to exploit software vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of potentially vulnerable software and ensure that all systems are updated with the latest patches from the vendor to address this heap-based buffer overflow condition.