CVE-2005-4620 in WinRAR
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in WinRAR 3.50 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long command-line argument. NOTE: because this program executes with the privileges of the invoking user, and because remote programs do not normally have the ability to specify a command-line argument for this program, there may not be a typical attack vector for the issue that crosses privilege boundaries. Therefore this may not be a vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4620 represents a classic buffer overflow flaw within WinRAR version 3.50 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk that could potentially allow local users to execute arbitrary code. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the WinRAR application's command-line argument processing functionality, where the software fails to properly sanitize or limit the length of command-line parameters passed to it. The buffer overflow occurs when an attacker provides an excessively long command-line argument that exceeds the allocated memory buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be exploited to gain unauthorized code execution privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. In the context of WinRAR, this flaw manifests when the application processes command-line arguments without proper length validation, enabling attackers to overwrite critical memory structures including return addresses and function pointers. The exploitability of this vulnerability is constrained by the fact that WinRAR typically executes with the privileges of the invoking user rather than elevated system privileges, which limits the potential impact to local privilege escalation scenarios rather than system-wide compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4620 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities as it represents a fundamental security weakness in how the application handles user input validation. While the vulnerability requires local access to exploit, it could be leveraged in conjunction with other attack vectors such as social engineering or privilege escalation techniques to create more severe security breaches. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation issue means that an attacker who already has user-level access to a system could potentially use this flaw to execute malicious code with the same privileges as the legitimate user, which could then be used to escalate privileges further or access sensitive data. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning in environments where users may have elevated access rights or where the application is used in automated processes.
The limited attack surface of this vulnerability stems from the requirement for local execution and the typical usage patterns of WinRAR applications. Remote exploitation is not feasible because the vulnerability requires direct command-line invocation with malicious arguments, which remote attackers typically cannot control without first gaining local access to the target system. However, this does not diminish the importance of addressing the vulnerability, as it represents a potential entry point for attackers who have already compromised a system or gained local access through other means. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, privilege separation, and regular security updates to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. The issue also highlights the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in software development practices, particularly for applications that process user-provided data through command-line interfaces. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for defensive programming techniques and adherence to secure coding standards that can prevent buffer overflow conditions from becoming exploitable security flaws.