CVE-2005-4569 in FTGate
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in index.fts in FTGate Technology (formerly known as Floosietek) FTGate 4.4 (aka Build 4.4.000 Oct 26 2005) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long tzoffset value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4569 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the FTGate email security gateway software produced by FTGate Technology, formerly known as Floosietek. This vulnerability specifically affects version 4.4 of the software, with build number 4.4.000 released on October 26, 2005, and resides within the index.fts component of the application. The flaw manifests when the system processes a malformed timezone offset value, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access and execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the index.fts module, which handles timezone offset parameters during email processing operations. When a remote attacker sends an email containing an excessively long tzoffset value, the application fails to properly bounds-check the input before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the software does not enforce length limitations on the timezone offset parameter, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The overflow can potentially overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures, enabling the execution of malicious code with the privileges of the affected service account.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations utilizing the affected FTGate 4.4 software, as it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication. Attackers can exploit this flaw from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for email security gateways that must remain accessible to external email sources. The impact extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network. Organizations relying on this email security solution face significant exposure given that the vulnerability affects a core component responsible for processing incoming email traffic and managing timezone-related metadata.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques related to remote code execution and privilege escalation. The CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) classification for this issue would align with CWE-121, stack-based buffer overflow, which is categorized as a fundamental flaw in memory management and input validation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches, disabling unnecessary email processing features, and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious email traffic patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments, particularly for critical infrastructure components like email security gateways that process untrusted input from external sources.