CVE-2006-2148 in CGIIRC
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in client.c in CGI:IRC (CGIIRC) before 0.5.8 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) cookies or (2) the query string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2148 represents a critical security flaw in CGI:IRC (CGIIRC) version 0.5.7 and earlier, which exposes the software to remote code execution attacks through buffer overflow conditions in the client.c component. This vulnerability affects the web-based interface of CGIIRC, a popular web client for internet relay chat networks that allows users to connect to irc channels through web browsers. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors involving cookie handling and query string processing, both of which can be exploited by remote attackers without authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the client.c file of CGIIRC. When processing HTTP cookies or query string parameters, the application fails to properly bounds-check user-supplied data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the software does not verify that incoming data fits within allocated memory boundaries, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability specifically targets the web server component of CGIIRC rather than the client-side application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through web browser interactions without requiring direct system access. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the broader category of CWE-119: Improper Access to Memory Locations.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-2148 is severe and potentially devastating for affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the target server with the privileges of the web server process, typically resulting in complete system compromise. This exploitation capability allows adversaries to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, install backdoors, modify system configurations, or use the compromised server as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects web-based interfaces that are often publicly accessible and may be running on servers with elevated privileges. Network security professionals should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat that can lead to persistent threats and data breaches, especially when the affected CGIIRC instances are deployed in enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2148 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to CGIIRC version 0.5.8 or later, which contains patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions in client.c. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious HTTP requests containing malformed cookies or query strings. Input validation should be strengthened at the application level by implementing proper bounds checking, length validation, and sanitization of all user-supplied data. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual traffic patterns and attempts to exploit known buffer overflow signatures. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application, with potential lateral movement opportunities through T1071.3: Application Layer Protocol: Dns, as attackers may use compromised systems to conduct further reconnaissance and attack activities. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and implement intrusion detection systems to identify and alert on suspicious network activity.