CVE-2005-4439 in elogd
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ELOG elogd 2.6.0-beta4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a URL with a long (1) cmd or (2) mode parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4439 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ELOG elogd logging daemon version 2.6.0-beta4. This issue affects the application's handling of HTTP request parameters, specifically targeting the cmd and mode parameters that are commonly used in web-based logging interfaces. The vulnerability exists in the way the software processes user-supplied input without proper bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the elogd daemon receives HTTP requests containing excessively long cmd or mode parameter values. The software fails to validate the length of these parameters before processing them, allowing an attacker to overflow the allocated buffer space in memory. This overflow condition can be triggered through a specially crafted URL that contains parameter values exceeding the buffer capacity, typically by sending a string that surpasses the predefined memory allocation limits. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient boundary checking permits memory corruption that can lead to unpredictable behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution. When exploited, the buffer overflow can cause the elogd application to crash and terminate unexpectedly, resulting in a denial of service that disrupts logging services for the affected system. However, the more severe implications arise when the overflow is carefully crafted to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the running application. This capability transforms the vulnerability from a simple disruption mechanism into a potential gateway for complete system compromise, particularly when the elogd daemon runs with elevated privileges.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers "Exploitation for Client Execution" and represents a common attack pattern where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1133, "External Remote Services," as it allows remote exploitation without requiring local access to the system. Organizations running ELOG elogd versions prior to the patched release should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter length restrictions, and application firewalls to prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management practices and input sanitization as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, particularly focusing on preventing injection flaws that can lead to buffer overflows.
The remediation approach for CVE-2005-4439 requires immediate application of vendor patches or updates to the ELOG elogd software to address the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should also implement network-level controls such as intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious HTTP requests containing overly long parameter values. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other applications, particularly those handling user input through web interfaces. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of thorough input validation to prevent memory corruption exploits that can lead to complete system compromise.