CVE-2005-2658 in Turquoise SuperStat
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in utility.cpp in Turquoise SuperStat (turqstat) 2.2.4 and earlier might allow remote NNTP servers to execute arbitrary code via a date with a long month.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2658 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Turquoise SuperStat utility software version 2.2.4 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the utility.cpp component which processes NNTP server responses during data collection. The flaw manifests when the software encounters a date field containing an unusually long month name, triggering memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the date parsing routine, making it susceptible to maliciously crafted NNTP responses that could contain oversized month identifiers. This type of buffer overflow vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient boundary checks allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates over the network protocol NNTP, enabling remote exploitation without requiring local access to the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of date string parsing logic within the SuperStat application. When the software receives a date header from an NNTP server, it attempts to parse the month component without proper validation of string length. The utility.cpp file contains a fixed-size buffer that cannot accommodate excessively long month names, leading to memory corruption when overflow occurs. The attack exploits the difference between expected input size and actual input size, causing the program to overwrite adjacent stack memory or heap data structures. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution, as the overwritten memory locations may contain return addresses or function pointers that control program flow. The vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, which describes how adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it creates potential for complete system compromise and persistent access. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized control over systems running affected versions of Turquoise SuperStat, potentially leading to data theft, system infiltration, or use as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on SuperStat for monitoring NNTP server activity, which could include email servers, news server monitoring systems, or network surveillance tools. Organizations using this software in production environments face significant risk exposure, particularly those with limited network segmentation or insufficient security monitoring. The exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be automated, making it attractive to both automated attack tools and sophisticated threat actors. Given that the vulnerability affects software from 2005, many affected systems likely lack modern security controls such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, or other exploit mitigations that would reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in network applications, highlighting how seemingly benign parsing operations can create critical security weaknesses. Organizations should prioritize patching or upgrading affected systems to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability remains relevant due to its potential for remote code execution and the continued use of legacy software in many enterprise environments.