CVE-2006-6201 in C++ Builder
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Borland idsql32.dll 5.1.0.4, as used by RevilloC MailServer; 5.2.0.2 as used by Borland Developer Studio 2006; and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long SQL statement, related to use of the DbiQExec function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6201 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting multiple Borland software components including idsql32.dll version 5.1.0.4 used in RevilloC MailServer and version 5.2.0.2 found in Borland Developer Studio 2006. This flaw resides in the DbiQExec function which processes SQL statements, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely by attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the database connectivity library, specifically when handling extended SQL queries that exceed allocated buffer boundaries. The heap-based nature of this overflow indicates that memory corruption occurs in the heap memory segment rather than stack memory, making exploitation more complex but potentially more reliable for persistent code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the DbiQExec function failing to properly validate the length of incoming SQL statements before processing them through the underlying database interface. When attackers submit maliciously crafted SQL queries containing excessive data, the function attempts to copy this data into insufficiently sized heap buffers, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the heap-based variant presents unique exploitation characteristics. The flaw demonstrates poor memory management practices and inadequate bounds checking that violates fundamental security principles for input validation and memory allocation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe threat landscape for organizations utilizing affected Borland products, particularly those running RevilloC MailServer or developing applications with Borland Developer Studio 2006. Remote exploitation allows attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges without requiring local system access, making the attack surface extremely broad. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor establishment. Organizations may experience service disruption, data loss, and regulatory compliance violations if exploitation occurs successfully. The vulnerability affects not just the specific versions mentioned but potentially other unpatched versions of the same library, creating a widespread exposure across legacy systems that may not receive updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6201 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Borland or third-party security vendors, as this vulnerability was addressed through proper bounds checking implementation and memory management improvements in updated library versions. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to affected services, while input validation measures should be strengthened at application layers to filter out potentially malicious SQL content. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual SQL query lengths and patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and execution techniques, specifically targeting the use of vulnerable software components for code injection. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted code and establish robust incident response procedures to handle potential exploitation events. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities in legacy systems and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.