CVE-2006-3985 in PowerArchiver
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in DZIPS32.DLL 6.0.0.4 in ConeXware PowerArchiver 9.62.03 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code by adding a new file to a crafted ZIP archive that already contains a file with a long name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3985 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the DZIPS32.DLL component version 6.0.0.4 of ConeXware PowerArchiver 9.62.03. This security weakness manifests when the software processes ZIP archives containing files with excessively long names, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The flaw specifically occurs during the extraction process when the application attempts to handle filenames that exceed the allocated buffer space, allowing malicious actors to manipulate memory contents and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability operates under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions that arise from insufficient bounds checking of user-supplied data. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems processing untrusted archive files, as the attack requires only the creation of a specially crafted ZIP archive containing a file with an overly long name, making it particularly dangerous for email attachments, file sharing platforms, and automated archive processing systems. The attack vector is classified as user-assisted, meaning that successful exploitation requires some form of user interaction with the malicious archive, though this interaction can be automated through social engineering or automated systems. The underlying technical mechanism involves the application's failure to properly validate the length of filenames during archive extraction, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the execution of malicious code through the manipulation of archive processing components. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential privilege escalation and system compromise, as the attacker can manipulate the program flow to execute malicious payloads with elevated permissions. The flaw demonstrates how legacy software components can contain critical security vulnerabilities that persist across multiple versions, highlighting the importance of proper input validation and memory management in archive processing libraries. Organizations using PowerArchiver 9.62.03 or affected versions of the DZIPS32.DLL component should immediately implement mitigations including software updates, input validation restrictions, and network-based protections. The vulnerability serves as a prime example of how buffer overflow conditions can be exploited through seemingly benign file operations, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of archive processing functionality and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent memory corruption vulnerabilities. System administrators should prioritize patching affected installations and implement monitoring for suspicious archive processing activities to detect potential exploitation attempts.