CVE-2005-3135 in Web Player
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Virtools Web Player 3.0.0.100 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3135 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Virtools Web Player software version 3.0.0.100 and earlier releases. This issue arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle excessively long filename strings during the processing of web content. The flaw exists at the application level where the software does not enforce proper bounds checking on user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote threat actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the software's failure to validate the length of filenames before processing them within memory buffers. When a maliciously crafted filename exceeding the allocated buffer size is submitted, it overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical program data or executable code segments. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient space is allocated for data storage, and CWE-122, which specifically addresses heap-based buffer overflows. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an attacker can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in web-based environments where users may unknowingly encounter malicious content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with the ability to completely compromise the affected system. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized code execution with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system takeover. In web environments, this vulnerability could be exploited through malicious web pages or files that contain overly long filenames, making it a significant concern for organizations running vulnerable versions of Virtools Web Player. The attack surface is particularly wide given that this software was commonly used for interactive web content delivery, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates that address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened to enforce maximum filename length limits and reject excessively long strings before they can be processed by the application. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential buffer overflow conditions within the software stack. The remediation approach should align with the principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique category, which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters, as exploitation of this vulnerability would likely involve malicious code injection. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file upload activities and anomalous network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.