CVE-2006-0813 in WinACE
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in WinACE 2.60 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large header block in an ARJ archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0813 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in WinACE 2.60, a popular file archiving and compression utility. This vulnerability resides within the handling of ARJ archive formats, specifically when processing header blocks that exceed normal size parameters. The flaw enables malicious actors to craft specially constructed ARJ archive files that, when processed by the vulnerable software, trigger memory corruption conditions. The issue manifests during the parsing of archive metadata where the application fails to properly validate the size of header structures before attempting to allocate memory for their storage. This oversight creates an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite heap memory. The flaw operates through a user-assisted attack vector, meaning that the target system must actively process a maliciously crafted ARJ archive file for exploitation to occur. When the vulnerable WinACE application encounters an ARJ archive containing an oversized header block, it attempts to allocate memory based on the reported header size without adequate validation. This memory allocation failure creates a situation where subsequent data writes overflow the allocated buffer space, potentially corrupting heap metadata or adjacent memory structures. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised application.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-0813 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it represents a significant threat to system integrity and user security. Organizations relying on WinACE 2.60 for file management and archive processing face potential compromise when handling untrusted archive files, particularly in environments where users might receive files from external sources or through web-based applications. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious archive, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios involving email attachments or automated file processing systems. Network-based attacks could leverage this flaw through web applications that process ARJ archives, potentially allowing remote code execution without user intervention. The heap corruption mechanism provides attackers with opportunities to manipulate program flow through memory overwrite attacks, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise depending on the execution context of the vulnerable application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as the original WinACE 2.60 version contains no built-in protections against this specific buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies that prevent processing of untrusted archive files, particularly those in ARJ format, until proper security patches are deployed. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while application whitelisting solutions can prevent unauthorized execution of vulnerable versions. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file processing activities and memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for archive processing operations, isolating vulnerable applications from critical system resources. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in archive handling utilities, as recommended by security best practices and standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for software development security practices.