CVE-2005-1679 in picasm
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the error directive in picasm 1.12b and earlier allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1679 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the picasm assembler version 1.12b and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically targets the error directive functionality of the software, which is commonly used in embedded systems development and microcontroller programming environments. The picasm assembler is designed to process assembly code for pic microcontrollers, making it an essential tool for developers working in embedded systems domains. The buffer overflow occurs when the software processes error messages that exceed the allocated stack buffer size, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in memory management within the error handling mechanism. When picasm encounters an error during assembly processing, it generates error messages that are stored in a fixed-size stack buffer. Attackers can craft malicious assembly code containing overly long error messages that exceed the buffer capacity, causing a classic stack overflow condition. This overflow allows the attacker to overwrite the stack frame's return address and potentially other critical control data, enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the picasm application. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security and is commonly exploited in privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can compromise entire embedded systems development environments where picasm is utilized. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to development workstations, potentially leading to the injection of malicious code into firmware or embedded applications. This risk is particularly concerning in industrial control systems, automotive electronics, and other safety-critical environments where pic microcontrollers are prevalent. The vulnerability affects not only individual developers but also organizations that rely on picasm for production firmware development, creating potential supply chain security risks. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating the multi-layered attack surface this flaw presents.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1679 require immediate action from affected organizations, including upgrading to picasm versions 1.13 or later where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and buffer size management. System administrators should implement input sanitization measures and restrict execution privileges for the picasm utility to minimize potential damage from exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their embedded development environments to identify any other potentially affected tools or systems that might be running vulnerable versions of picasm. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security updates and patch management processes should be enforced across all development tools and embedded system components.