CVE-2005-4846 in Spey
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in Logger.cc for Spey 0.3.3 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a syslog call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4846 represents a critical format string flaw within the Spey web server version 0.3.3 specifically in the Logger.cc component. This issue arises from improper handling of user-supplied input within syslog calls that utilize format string specifiers without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-134 which defines the weakness of using user-supplied data as a format string, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted as format specifiers rather than literal text.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Spey server processes incoming requests that contain maliciously crafted input which gets passed directly to syslog functions without proper escaping or validation. When the logger component attempts to format this input for logging purposes, the format string specifiers present in the attacker-controlled data can trigger unintended behavior including stack pointer corruption, memory access violations, and potentially arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically targets the syslog call mechanism within the logging subsystem, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal web server operations without requiring special privileges or authentication.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to system availability and integrity. The primary effect is a denial of service condition that can cause the Spey web server to crash and terminate unexpectedly, leading to service interruption for legitimate users. However, the potential for arbitrary code execution adds a more severe dimension to the threat, as attackers could potentially gain remote control over the affected system. The vulnerability affects systems running Spey 0.3.3 and earlier versions, making it particularly relevant for legacy web server implementations that may not have received subsequent security updates. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system through the logging mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4846 should focus on immediate patching of the Spey web server to a version that addresses the format string vulnerability in the Logger.cc component. Organizations should also implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent user-supplied data from reaching the syslog functions without proper escaping. Network segmentation and monitoring can help detect exploitation attempts through unusual logging patterns or service disruptions. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the Spey server with minimal required permissions and implementing proper access controls to limit potential damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices, particularly in logging and input handling components where format string vulnerabilities can have cascading effects on system stability and security.