CVE-2005-3354 in Sylpheed
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the ldif_get_line function in ldif.c of Sylpheed before 2.1.6 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code by having local users import LDIF files with long lines.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3354 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the Sylpheed email client software. This issue specifically affects versions prior to 2.1.6 and resides in the ldif_get_line function located in the ldif.c source file. The vulnerability manifests when the software processes Lightweight Directory Access Protocol Data Interchange Format files, commonly used for importing and exporting directory service data. The flaw enables malicious actors to craft specially formatted LDIF files containing excessively long lines that can trigger buffer overflow conditions during parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the ldif_get_line function which fails to properly bounds-check the length of data being read from LDIF files. When a local user imports an LDIF file containing a line that exceeds the allocated buffer size, the excessive data overflows into adjacent memory locations on the stack. This stack corruption can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical program state information, ultimately allowing an attacker to manipulate the program execution flow. The vulnerability is classified as user-assisted since it requires local user interaction to import the malicious LDIF file, though the attack vector remains particularly dangerous in environments where users might inadvertently or maliciously process untrusted directory data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution privileges, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited successfully. An attacker who successfully exploits this buffer overflow could gain arbitrary code execution within the context of the Sylpheed process, potentially escalating privileges or establishing persistent access to the affected system. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of email client operations involving directory service integration, particularly when users import organizational data from external sources or when the application processes directory synchronization tasks. This makes the attack surface particularly relevant in enterprise environments where Sylpheed might be used for managing LDAP directory services or when handling import operations from potentially untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate software updates to Sylpheed versions 2.1.6 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies for LDIF imports and consider restricting user privileges when processing directory data files. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a fundamental memory safety issue. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, as attackers might leverage similar buffer overflow exploitation patterns to establish persistent access. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, particularly in environments where email clients interact with external directory services and where user privileges are elevated during import operations.