CVE-2006-4033 in Lhaplus
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Lhaplus.exe in Lhaplus 1.52, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an LZH archive with a long header, as specified by the extendedHeaderSize.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4033 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting Lhaplus.exe, a component of the Lhaplus 1.52 software suite and potentially earlier versions. This flaw resides within the handling of LZH (LHA) archive files, specifically when processing extended header information that exceeds expected buffer boundaries. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the decompression routine responsible for parsing archive metadata, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap allocation space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of the extendedHeaderSize parameter within LZH archive structures, which directly influences how memory is allocated for header processing. When an attacker crafts a malicious LZH archive containing an excessively long header field, the application fails to properly validate the header size before allocating memory and copying data. This results in a classic heap overflow condition where the copied data extends beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent heap metadata, function pointers, or return addresses. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to gain full control over the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute malicious code without requiring local system access. The attack vector is particularly concerning since it can be delivered through standard file sharing mechanisms, web downloads, or email attachments containing malicious LZH archives. This vulnerability affects systems running Lhaplus 1.52 and potentially older versions, making it a widespread concern for organizations that have not updated their software components. The heap overflow condition creates opportunities for various exploitation techniques including return-oriented programming and stack pivoting, which can bypass modern exploit mitigation mechanisms.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and it maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution. The vulnerability demonstrates poor software engineering practices in memory management and input validation, highlighting the importance of implementing proper bounds checking and secure coding practices. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks. Additionally, file type filtering and sandboxing mechanisms should be deployed to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious archive files, while regular security audits should verify that similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities do not exist in other legacy software components.