CVE-2005-2694 in WinAce
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in WinAce 2.6.0.5, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a temporary (.tmp) file that contains an entry with a long file name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2694 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within WinAce 2.6.0.5 and potentially earlier versions of the software. This issue manifests when the application processes temporary .tmp files that contain excessively long file names in their directory entries. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of these malformed entries, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows arbitrary data to be written beyond the allocated buffer space. This particular implementation flaw affects the file extraction and processing mechanisms within WinAce, making it susceptible to exploitation when handling untrusted archive files containing maliciously crafted temporary entries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to gain unauthorized control over systems running vulnerable versions of WinAce. When a user opens or processes an archive containing a specially crafted .tmp file with an overly long file name, the application crashes or behaves unpredictably, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely through malicious archive files distributed via email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing networks, making it a significant threat to enterprise environments where users may unknowingly process compromised archives.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2694 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from the vendor, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases of WinAce. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic processing of archive files from untrusted sources, particularly those containing temporary entries or unusual file name lengths. Network-based defenses should include content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms that can detect and isolate potentially malicious archive files before they reach end-user systems. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of WinAce and similar archiving utilities to trusted environments only. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying archive sources and avoiding automatic extraction of files from unknown or untrusted archives. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and bounds checking in archive processing applications, as outlined in secure coding practices recommended by the Software Engineering Institute and ISO/IEC 27045 standards for software security assurance.