CVE-2007-0180 in Commander
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in EF Commander 5.75 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted ISO file containing a file within several nested directories, which produces a large filename that triggers the overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0180 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within EF Commander version 5.75, a file management utility commonly used for handling various archive formats including ISO files. This flaw arises from insufficient input validation when processing nested directory structures within ISO containers, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted archive files can trigger unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application encounters a file path that exceeds the allocated stack buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers to gain control over the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's handling of file paths during ISO extraction processes. When EF Commander processes an ISO file containing deeply nested directories, it constructs file paths in a manner that does not adequately validate the length of resulting filenames. The stack buffer overflow occurs because the application allocates a fixed-size buffer on the stack to store the constructed file path, but fails to verify that the path length remains within acceptable bounds. This design flaw allows attackers to craft ISO files with excessive nesting levels that generate filenames exceeding the buffer capacity, causing stack corruption that can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems running EF Commander 5.75, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted ISO files from external sources. The user-assisted nature of this attack means that exploitation requires some level of user interaction, typically involving the opening or extraction of a maliciously crafted ISO file. However, the potential impact remains severe as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. The vulnerability affects not only individual workstations but also enterprise environments where file management tools are widely deployed.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1203 for exploitation for client execution, as attackers can leverage the overflow to execute malicious payloads. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been prevalent in software development for decades. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of CWE-20, improper input validation, as the application fails to properly validate the length and structure of file paths before processing them. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting user access to potentially malicious archive files to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of EF Commander to a version that addresses the buffer overflow issue, along with implementing network-based filtering to block suspicious ISO file transfers. System administrators should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns consistent with exploitation attempts, particularly those involving file path manipulation. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted archive files and implementing principle of least privilege access controls can significantly reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in software development, particularly when handling user-supplied data in file processing applications.