CVE-2005-3263 in WinRAR
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in UNACEV2.DLL for RARLAB WinRAR 2.90 through 3.50 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an ACE archive containing a file with a long name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3263 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw located within the UNACEV2.DLL component of RARLAB WinRAR software versions 2.90 through 3.50. This specific implementation vulnerability resides in the handling of ACE archive files, which are compressed file formats commonly used for data compression and archiving purposes. The flaw manifests when the software processes archive files containing filenames that exceed predetermined buffer size limits, creating conditions where maliciously crafted data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability operates through improper input validation and boundary checking within the ACE archive processing routines. When WinRAR encounters an ACE archive with a filename exceeding the allocated buffer space, the software fails to enforce adequate bounds checking before copying the filename data into memory. This lack of proper validation allows attackers to craft specially formatted ACE archives containing excessively long filenames that trigger the buffer overflow condition, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications as it enables remote code execution attacks without requiring local system access. Attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering maliciously crafted ACE archives through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites. The vulnerability affects a wide range of WinRAR versions that were prevalent during the mid-2000s, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of the software for file compression and archiving tasks. The attack surface extends to any system running vulnerable WinRAR versions that process ACE archives, potentially compromising user systems and network resources.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which classifies this as a fundamental memory safety issue where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack memory locations. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. The vulnerability also relates to T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, since it enables attackers to execute malicious code through compromised client applications. Mitigation strategies include immediate patching of affected WinRAR versions, implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted archives, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious ACE archive traffic. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for archive processing and establishing secure file handling procedures to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious archive content.