CVE-2005-3190 in iGateway
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Computer Associates (CA) iGateway 3.0 and 4.0 before 4.0.050623, when running in debug mode, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via HTTP GET requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3190 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Computer Associates iGateway versions 3.0 and 4.0 prior to 4.0.050623. This security weakness specifically manifests when the application operates in debug mode, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized execution of arbitrary code. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the HTTP GET request processing component of the iGateway software. The buffer overflow occurs when the system fails to properly bounds-check data received through HTTP GET requests, allowing maliciously crafted input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This flaw directly maps to CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory regions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in software applications. The debug mode execution context amplifies the risk significantly, as this mode typically provides enhanced logging and diagnostic information that may inadvertently expose additional attack surfaces. The vulnerability affects organizations utilizing legacy iGateway implementations that have not received the security patch released in version 4.0.050623, potentially compromising critical infrastructure components that rely on this gateway technology for network communication and data processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires remote attackers to craft specific HTTP GET requests containing maliciously sized payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space. When the iGateway processes these requests in debug mode, the overflow conditions trigger memory corruption that can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow. Attackers can manipulate the instruction pointer or other critical memory locations to inject and execute their own code within the application's memory space. The debug mode operation is particularly problematic because it often includes additional logging mechanisms and verbose error reporting that may provide attackers with information about memory layouts and system configurations. This vulnerability essentially transforms a simple HTTP request into a potential code execution vector, bypassing traditional network security controls and authentication mechanisms. The memory corruption typically manifests through stack-based buffer overflows that can be exploited using techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct code injection, depending on the target system's memory protection mechanisms and address space layout.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant operational risks including complete system compromise, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that expose iGateway systems directly to external networks or have insufficient network segmentation controls. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to potential privilege escalation, as attackers may gain elevated system privileges depending on how the iGateway process is configured. The vulnerability also affects business continuity and regulatory compliance, particularly in environments where data protection and system integrity are critical requirements. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive information, modification of system configurations, or complete system takeover that could result in significant financial and reputational damage. The exploitation of this vulnerability can also serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks, enabling attackers to establish persistent access or deploy additional malware within the compromised environment.
The primary mitigation strategy involves immediate deployment of the security patch released by Computer Associates for iGateway version 4.0.050623, which addresses the buffer overflow conditions through proper input validation and memory management controls. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit exposure of iGateway systems to untrusted networks and disable debug mode operations on production systems where possible. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous HTTP GET request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and intrusion detection systems should be updated to recognize signatures associated with this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected iGateway versions and ensure that proper access controls are implemented to limit who can interact with the gateway systems. System hardening practices including disabling unnecessary services, implementing least privilege access controls, and regularly updating all software components should be enforced. The remediation process should also include thorough testing of the patched environment to ensure that the security update does not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications or network configurations. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to proactively identify similar issues in other legacy systems that may be similarly vulnerable to buffer overflow conditions.