CVE-2006-6178 in OfficeScan
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in PCCSRV\Web_console\RemoteInstallCGI\Wizard.exe for Trend Micro OfficeScan 7.3 before build 7.3.0.1087 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unknown attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6178 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Trend Micro OfficeScan 7.3 web console component, specifically affecting the RemoteInstallCGI Wizard.exe module. This issue exists in the PCCSRV\Web_console\RemoteInstallCGI directory structure and impacts all versions prior to build 7.3.0.1087, creating a significant security risk for enterprise environments that rely on this endpoint protection solution. The buffer overflow vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the remote installation wizard functionality, which processes data from network requests without proper bounds checking.
The technical nature of this flaw places it squarely within the category of CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability manifests when the Wizard.exe component receives malformed input through remote network connections, potentially enabling attackers to inject malicious code into the execution environment. The unknown attack vectors referenced in the description suggest that multiple pathways exist for exploitation, including but not limited to HTTP request manipulation, malformed CGI parameter handling, or direct network protocol exploitation. This ambiguity in attack vectors increases the severity as it indicates the vulnerability may be exploitable through various methods, making defensive measures more challenging to implement comprehensively.
From an operational standpoint, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution privileges to potentially compromise entire enterprise networks where Trend Micro OfficeScan is deployed. Attackers who successfully exploit this buffer overflow can gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or use of compromised systems as launch points for further attacks within the network. The web console component's accessibility over network connections means that exploitation can occur remotely without requiring physical access to target systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in corporate environments where such management interfaces are exposed to external networks. The vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation would likely involve execution of malicious payloads through command-line interfaces or scripting mechanisms.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided patch for build 7.3.0.1087 or higher, which addresses the buffer overflow conditions through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to the affected web console components, particularly limiting access to trusted administrative networks only. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, deploying intrusion detection systems with signatures specific to this vulnerability, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems within the enterprise. The remediation process should also include disabling unnecessary web console functionality where possible and ensuring that all administrative interfaces are protected through strong authentication mechanisms and regular security audits to prevent unauthorized access to privileged management functions.