CVE-2005-2772 in gopher
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in University of Minnesota gopher client 3.0.9 allow remote malicious servers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long "+VIEWS:" reply, which is not properly handled in the VIfromLine function, and (2) certain arguments when launching third party programs such as a web browser from a web link, which is not properly handled in the FIOgetargv function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2772 represents a critical security flaw in the University of Minnesota gopher client version 3.0.9, which exposes users to remote code execution risks through carefully crafted malicious gopher server responses. This vulnerability affects the client's handling of network communications and process execution mechanisms, creating pathways for attackers to compromise systems remotely. The gopher protocol client, designed for retrieving information from gopher servers, becomes a vector for exploitation when processing improperly formatted server responses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from two distinct stack-based buffer overflow conditions within the client's codebase. The first overflow occurs in the VIfromLine function when processing a malformed "+VIEWS:" reply from a malicious server, where the function fails to validate the length of incoming data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory and potentially redirect program execution flow. The second vulnerability exists in the FIOgetargv function, which handles command line argument processing when launching third-party applications such as web browsers from gopher links, creating similar buffer overflow conditions during argument parsing operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on gopher client software for information retrieval or legacy system access. Attackers can exploit these conditions by setting up malicious gopher servers that respond with oversized "+VIEWS:" headers or specially crafted web link arguments, enabling remote code execution on vulnerable client systems. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as the vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might inadvertently access malicious gopher servers or links. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-121, stack-based buffer overflow, and CWE-78, improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, which aligns with attack patterns found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1203 and T1059 for process injection and command and scripting interpreter techniques.
The exploitation of these buffer overflows creates multiple attack vectors that can be leveraged by threat actors to gain unauthorized access to systems. The stack-based nature of the vulnerabilities means that attackers can potentially overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical stack data structures to redirect execution flow. The FIOgetargv function's handling of third-party program launches creates an additional attack surface where attackers can manipulate command line arguments to execute malicious code through the operating system's process creation mechanisms. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, disabling gopher protocol access where possible, and ensuring all systems have updated versions of the gopher client software. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual gopher protocol traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while system hardening measures should focus on stack protection mechanisms and input validation controls.