CVE-2006-5964 in PentaZip
Summary
by MITRE
choShilA.bpl in PentaZip 8.5.1.190 and PentaSuite-PRO 8.5.1.221 allows local users, and user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (system crash) by right clicking on a file with a long filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5964 represents a classic buffer overflow condition within the file handling mechanisms of PentaZip and PentaSuite-PRO software suites. This issue specifically affects versions 8.5.1.190 and 8.5.1.221 where the choShilA.bpl component fails to properly validate filename lengths during right-click operations. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization that allows maliciously crafted filenames to exceed the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption and subsequent system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the file explorer context menu handler functionality where the software processes right-click events on files. When a user interacts with a file containing an excessively long filename, the system attempts to process this input without proper bounds checking. This condition manifests as a stack-based buffer overflow in the choShilA.bpl library, which is responsible for handling various file operations within the PentaSuite environment. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on buffer operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to system availability and stability. Local users can trigger the denial of service condition simply by right-clicking on files with long filenames, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where arbitrary file manipulation is possible. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness through user-assisted scenarios, potentially leveraging the vulnerability to disrupt service availability or as part of a broader attack chain. The system crash resulting from this condition can lead to complete application termination and may require system reboot to restore normal operations, creating potential availability impacts for legitimate users.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to include potential privilege escalation scenarios, particularly when the affected software runs with elevated privileges. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this weakness under T1499.004 - Endpoint Denial of Service, which emphasizes the importance of input validation and proper error handling in preventing system instability. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize immediate patching or mitigation strategies, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors. The vulnerability also highlights the critical need for proper bounds checking in file processing functions and demonstrates the importance of defensive programming practices in preventing buffer overflow conditions that can lead to system compromise.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of vendor patches when available, implementation of file size and name length restrictions in system policies, and regular security assessments of file handling components. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling denial of service events. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and proper memory management in preventing exploitation of buffer overflow conditions that can lead to system instability and potential compromise of system integrity.