CVE-2005-1546 in HT Editor
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the PE parser in HT Editor before 0.8.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PE file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1546 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Portable Executable (PE) parser component of HT Editor version 0.8.0 and earlier. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and memory management practices during the parsing of PE files, which are the standard executable file format used on Windows operating systems. The vulnerability specifically affects the parser's ability to handle malformed or specially crafted PE files that contain oversized data structures or malformed headers that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the PE parser's failure to properly validate the size and structure of executable file headers and sections before attempting to read or process them into fixed-size buffers. When a maliciously crafted PE file is processed by the vulnerable HT Editor, the parser attempts to copy data from the file into internal buffers without sufficient bounds checking. This results in a classic buffer overflow condition where adjacent memory locations are overwritten with data from the malicious input, potentially corrupting program execution flow and allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the running editor process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables remote code execution attacks that can be initiated through the simple act of opening or processing a maliciously crafted PE file. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over systems running vulnerable versions of HT Editor, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or use as a foothold for further network infiltration. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users might unknowingly open malicious files received through email attachments, file sharing networks, or web downloads. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to arbitrary code execution.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in security-critical applications, particularly those handling untrusted data formats. The attack surface is expanded due to the widespread use of PE files in computing environments, making this vulnerability potentially exploitable across numerous systems and organizations. Mitigation strategies must include immediate patching to version 0.8.0 or later, which presumably contains the necessary fixes to properly validate PE file structures and implement appropriate bounds checking. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies, sandboxing techniques, and network-based controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Guidelines and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers may leverage such vulnerabilities to establish persistent access through command execution capabilities. Organizations should also implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other applications that process untrusted binary data formats, as buffer overflows remain one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities in the cybersecurity landscape.