CVE-2007-0020 in Panic Transmit
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the SFTP protocol handler for Panic Transmit (Transmit.app) up to 3.5.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long ftps:// URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0020 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the SFTP protocol handler of Panic Transmit application version 3.5.5 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the application's handling of ftps:// URLs, creating a remote code execution vector that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. The flaw resides in how the application processes and parses extended URL schemes, particularly those involving secure file transfer protocols that utilize the ftps:// prefix.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the SFTP protocol handler component of Transmit.app. When the application encounters a maliciously crafted ftps:// URL containing excessive data, it fails to properly bounds-check the input before copying it into a fixed-size heap buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the application allocates memory based on an assumed maximum length but receives input that exceeds this predetermined limit, causing adjacent memory to be overwritten. The vulnerability manifests as a heap-based overflow rather than a stack-based one, making it particularly challenging to detect and exploit consistently across different system configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with a sophisticated attack vector that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. An attacker can craft a specially formatted ftps:// URL that, when processed by the vulnerable Transmit application, triggers the buffer overflow condition. This allows for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently click on malicious links in emails or web pages.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application patching to address the underlying buffer overflow condition in the SFTP protocol handler. Organizations should prioritize updating to Panic Transmit version 3.5.6 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes and input validation improvements. System administrators should also implement network-level controls to restrict access to potentially malicious URLs and consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious URL patterns. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying URL legitimacy before interacting with file transfer applications, as this vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering techniques that trick users into clicking malicious links. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for both application-level and network-level defenses.
The broader implications of this vulnerability demonstrate the critical importance of proper memory management in networked applications, particularly those handling external input through protocol handlers. This flaw exemplifies how seemingly benign URL parsing operations can become security gateways when proper bounds checking is omitted, emphasizing the necessity of robust input validation and secure coding practices throughout application development lifecycle. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their file transfer applications and implement continuous monitoring to detect similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that could potentially affect other components of their infrastructure.