CVE-2005-4472 in JRun
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Macromedia JRun 4 web server (JWS) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long request that is not properly handled during conversion to wide characters.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4472 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the Macromedia JRun 4 web server implementation. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of request data during the conversion process to wide character representations, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers. The flaw exists in the core processing mechanism of the web server where input validation fails to properly manage buffer boundaries during character set conversion operations. The affected system processes incoming HTTP requests and converts them to wide character format for internal processing, but does not adequately validate the length of input data before performing this conversion, leading to memory corruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request containing an excessively long payload that triggers the buffer overflow condition. During the wide character conversion process, the system attempts to store the converted data in a fixed-size stack buffer without proper bounds checking, causing the overflow to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can potentially overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures within the program's execution context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through standard web server request processing without requiring authentication or privileged access, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation attempts. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution on affected systems. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow can allow attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the JRun web server process, potentially providing full system compromise capabilities. The vulnerability affects systems running Macromedia JRun 4 web server implementations, which were commonly deployed in enterprise environments for serving dynamic web content and applications. Organizations utilizing this vulnerable software face significant risk as the attack surface includes all web applications hosted by the affected server, making it possible for attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, disrupt services, or establish persistent access points within network infrastructures. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or network proximity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4472 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches provided by Macromedia or Adobe, as the vulnerability was addressed through proper bounds checking implementations in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and web application firewalls to monitor for exploitation attempts, while also conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable software across their infrastructure. The recommended approach includes applying the vendor-supplied security patches immediately, implementing input validation controls at network boundaries, and conducting regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through custom application code. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing runtime protections and monitoring mechanisms to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with defensive strategies outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework for command and control operations and privilege escalation techniques.