CVE-2005-3832 in Squeez
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in (1) CxUux60.dll and (2) CxUux60u.dll, as used in SpeedProject products including (a) Squeez 5.0 Build 4285, and (b) SpeedCommander 11.0 Build 4430 and 10.51 Build 4430, allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a ZIP archive containing a long filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3832 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting core components of SpeedProject software products. This flaw exists within the CxUux60.dll and CxUux60u.dll dynamic link libraries that form part of the file extraction and processing functionality. The vulnerability specifically impacts Squeez 5.0 Build 4285 and SpeedCommander versions 11.0 Build 4430, 10.51 Build 4430, creating a significant security risk for users who process untrusted archive files. The flaw manifests when these libraries handle ZIP archives containing excessively long filenames, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout through carefully crafted input data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack buffer overflow pattern where insufficient input validation permits data to exceed allocated buffer boundaries. When the affected libraries process a ZIP archive with an overly long filename, the buffer allocated on the stack receives more data than its capacity allows, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten. This memory corruption can be exploited to manipulate program execution flow by overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where file processing occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal file extraction operations without requiring special privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to gain arbitrary code execution capabilities within the context of the affected applications. This represents a severe privilege escalation vector since users who process ZIP archives containing maliciously crafted filenames can inadvertently trigger the overflow. The user-assisted nature of this attack means that exploitation requires some form of social engineering to convince victims to open or process the malicious archive, but once triggered, the consequences are dire. The vulnerability affects desktop applications that handle compressed file formats, making it particularly relevant in enterprise environments where users frequently process documents and files from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment and application hardening measures. Organizations must prioritize updating to patched versions of SpeedProject products to eliminate the vulnerable code paths. Additionally, implementing input validation controls at the application level can help prevent overly long filenames from being processed, though this approach is less reliable than proper patching. Security measures should include restricting user access to archive processing functionality where possible, implementing sandboxing for file operations, and monitoring for suspicious file processing activities. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow conditions and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised application processes.