CVE-2006-2161 in Abakt
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in (1) TZipBuilder 1.79.03.01, (2) Abakt 0.9.2 and 0.9.3-beta1, (3) CAM UnZip 4.0 and 4.3, and possibly other products, allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a ZIP archive that contains a file with a long file name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2018
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting multiple archive manipulation utilities that process zip file formats. The flaw exists in the handling of file names within zip archives, specifically when processing filenames that exceed predetermined buffer limits. The affected software versions include TZipBuilder 1.79.03.01, Abakt 0.9.2 and 0.9.3-beta1, and CAM UnZip 4.0 and 4.3, indicating a widespread issue across different implementations of zip archive processing functionality. The vulnerability operates through user-assisted exploitation where an attacker crafts a malicious zip archive containing a file with an excessively long filename that overflows the allocated buffer space during decompression or extraction operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and buffer management within the zip file parsing routines. When these applications encounter a file within a zip archive, they allocate a fixed-size buffer to store the filename, typically without proper bounds checking against the actual length of the filename. This allows an attacker to craft a zip file where a single filename exceeds the allocated buffer capacity, causing a buffer overflow condition that can overwrite adjacent memory locations. The overflow can potentially overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information, enabling arbitrary code execution when the application attempts to process the malformed archive.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for users who may encounter or download zip archives from untrusted sources. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that victims must actively choose to open or extract the malicious archive, but this is often unavoidable in legitimate business scenarios where employees receive compressed files from external sources. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potential system compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system control, data exfiltration, or denial of service conditions. Organizations using these affected utilities face elevated risk during routine file processing activities, particularly when handling compressed files from unknown or untrusted sources. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of unsafe string handling practices in legacy software implementations.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching and updating of affected software versions. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of TZipBuilder, Abakt, and CAM UnZip that implement proper buffer bounds checking and input validation. Additionally, administrators should implement defensive measures including zip archive scanning, file type restrictions, and mandatory security scanning of compressed files before processing. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help prevent malicious zip files from reaching end users. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for these specific outdated applications to prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also involve educating users about the risks of opening untrusted compressed files and implementing organizational policies that restrict the use of vulnerable archive utilities in critical environments.