CVE-2006-4359 in PowerZip
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Trident Software PowerZip 7.06 Build 3895 on Windows 2000 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a ZIP archive containing a long filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4359 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Trident Software PowerZip version 7.06 Build 3895 running on Windows 2000 systems. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the decompression routine that processes ZIP archive files. The flaw specifically manifests when the software encounters a ZIP archive containing a filename that exceeds the allocated buffer size, allowing malicious actors to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness category that has been consistently identified as a primary attack vector in numerous cybersecurity incidents. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates how legacy software applications often fail to properly validate file attributes during archive processing, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by remote threat actors.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires a remote attacker to craft a malicious ZIP archive containing an excessively long filename that surpasses the predetermined buffer limits within PowerZip's decompression engine. When the vulnerable application processes this specially crafted archive, the buffer overflow occurs during the filename extraction phase, leading to corruption of the stack memory. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over remote network connections without requiring local system access, making it suitable for network-based exploitation. The Windows 2000 operating system environment further compounds the risk due to its lack of modern exploit mitigation techniques such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, or data execution prevention that would otherwise limit the effectiveness of such buffer overflow attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on the exploitation of application vulnerabilities to achieve remote code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-4359 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once executed, the malicious code can establish persistence mechanisms, escalate privileges, or create backdoor access points within the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects systems where PowerZip 7.06 Build 3895 is installed and actively processes ZIP archives, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where automated archive processing or file sharing occurs. Organizations utilizing this software version face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems without physical access, potentially compromising multiple endpoints simultaneously through carefully crafted malicious archive distributions. This type of vulnerability commonly appears in legacy software environments where security updates are not regularly applied, creating persistent attack surfaces that threat actors actively seek to exploit. The lack of proper bounds checking in the filename processing routine demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure coding practices that has been addressed in modern software development standards and security frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4359 should prioritize immediate software updates to newer versions of PowerZip that address the buffer overflow vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, particularly those processing untrusted archive files. Security administrators should disable unnecessary archive processing capabilities and implement strict file validation policies for incoming ZIP archives. The deployment of intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious archive processing activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable applications within the organization's infrastructure. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted archive processing utilities. The remediation approach should also include comprehensive security awareness training for personnel who may inadvertently process suspicious archive files, as social engineering remains a common initial attack vector for such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically addressing archive-based exploitation attempts, ensuring rapid detection and containment of potential compromise scenarios.