CVE-2006-4262 in Cscope
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in cscope 15.5 and earlier allow user-assisted attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via multiple vectors including (1) a long pathname that is not properly handled during file list parsing, (2) long pathnames that result from path variable expansion such as tilde expansion for the HOME environment variable, and (3) a long -f (aka reffile) command line argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4262 represents a critical security flaw in cscope version 15.5 and earlier, a widely used source code browsing tool that enables developers to navigate and search through source code repositories. This vulnerability manifests as multiple buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited by user-assisted attackers to achieve either denial of service or arbitrary code execution within the targeted system. The flaw specifically affects the tool's handling of pathnames and command line arguments during the parsing of file lists, making it particularly dangerous in environments where cscope is frequently used for code analysis and development workflows.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves three distinct attack vectors that all stem from improper handling of long pathname inputs. The first vector occurs during file list parsing when cscope encounters pathnames that exceed the allocated buffer size, causing memory corruption that can lead to application crashes or unpredictable behavior. The second vector exploits path variable expansion mechanisms, particularly tilde expansion for the HOME environment variable, where attackers can craft maliciously long pathnames that, when expanded, exceed buffer limits during processing. The third vector targets the -f command line argument, also known as reffile, which allows attackers to specify a file containing references for cscope to process, creating opportunities for buffer overflows when handling extended input data. These buffer overflows occur due to inadequate bounds checking and insufficient input validation within the cscope parsing routines, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious data.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-4262 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the buffer overflows create opportunities for arbitrary code execution that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of cscope. When exploited successfully, these vulnerabilities can compromise the integrity of development environments where cscope is commonly deployed, potentially enabling attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise development environments where cscope is frequently used for code analysis and where attackers might leverage these flaws to establish persistent access or escalate privileges. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that exploitation typically requires some form of social engineering or manipulation of input data, but the potential for remote code execution makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors targeting development infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4262 should prioritize immediate patching of cscope installations to versions that address these buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should implement strict input validation measures and consider restricting user access to cscope command line arguments where possible. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflows, making it particularly relevant to defensive security practices focused on memory safety. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls to prevent execution of vulnerable versions and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious command line arguments or file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190, which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1059, which addresses command and scripting interpreters, highlighting the need for comprehensive monitoring and response strategies. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of vulnerable cscope installations within development environments, ensuring that all systems remain protected against this and similar buffer overflow threats that continue to pose risks to software development infrastructure.