CVE-2006-4554 in Compression Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the ReadFile function in the ZOO-processing exports in the BeCubed Compression Plus before 5.0.1.28, as used in products including (1) Tumbleweed EMF, (2) VCOM/Ontrack PowerDesk Pro, (3) Canyon Drag and Zip, (4) Canyon Power File, and (5) Canyon Power File Gold, allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via an inconsistent size parameter in a ZOO file header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2019
The CVE-2006-4554 vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting the BeCubed Compression Plus library version 5.0.1.28 and earlier implementations. This flaw exists within the ReadFile function of the ZOO-processing exports component, which is integrated into several commercial file compression and archiving products. The vulnerability manifests when processing specially crafted ZOO archive files containing inconsistent size parameters in their headers, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overflow the allocated stack buffer. The affected products include Tumbleweed EMF, VCOM/Ontrack PowerDesk Pro, Canyon Drag and Zip, Canyon Power File, and Canyon Power File Gold, all of which rely on the vulnerable compression library for handling ZOO format archives. This vulnerability is classified as a stack-based buffer overflow under CWE-121, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions where data written to a stack buffer exceeds its allocated boundaries. The flaw represents a classic example of insufficient boundary checking in input validation processes, where the application fails to properly validate the size parameters specified in the ZOO file header before attempting to read data into a fixed-size buffer on the stack.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables context-dependent attackers to potentially gain full system control through carefully crafted malicious ZOO archives. When an application processes a malicious file, the inconsistent size parameter in the ZOO header causes the ReadFile function to write more data than the allocated buffer can accommodate, leading to stack corruption. This stack corruption can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical program state information, allowing attackers to redirect execution flow and inject arbitrary code. The vulnerability's context-dependent nature means that exploitation requires specific conditions such as user interaction with malicious files or automated processing of untrusted archives through the affected software. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) and T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) categories, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through client-side application processing. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users unknowingly open malicious ZOO archives, or automated exploitation in environments where such files are processed without proper validation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4554 focus primarily on immediate patching of affected products and implementation of defensive measures to prevent exploitation. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected products to version 5.0.1.28 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and restricting file processing capabilities can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network-based defenses should include filtering of ZOO archive files at ingress points, particularly in environments where untrusted archives may be processed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper boundary checking and input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top 10 security principles, where inadequate input validation leads to buffer overflow conditions. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual file processing patterns or attempts to access system resources through compression utilities, as these activities may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also implement least privilege principles for applications that process compressed archives, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation. The remediation process involves not only updating the compression library but also conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components that may rely on the same vulnerable codebase. Regular security audits and code reviews should be implemented to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in legacy systems, ensuring that proper memory management practices are maintained throughout the software development lifecycle.