CVE-2007-0235 in libgtop
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the glibtop_get_proc_map_s function in libgtop before 2.14.6 (libgtop2) allows local users to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a process with a long filename that is mapped in its address space, which triggers the overflow in gnome-system-monitor.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0235 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the glibtop_get_proc_map_s function of libgtop2 library versions prior to 2.14.6. This flaw exists within the gnome-system-monitor application which utilizes libgtop2 for system monitoring purposes. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system monitor attempts to process a process with an exceptionally long filename that has been mapped into its address space, creating a condition where the buffer allocated on the stack exceeds its boundaries. The affected function processes memory mappings for processes and fails to properly validate the length of filenames when constructing internal data structures, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by local attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the glibtop_get_proc_map_s function, which is part of the libgtop2 library designed to provide system monitoring capabilities. When gnome-system-monitor encounters a process with a lengthy filename in its memory mapping, the function attempts to copy this filename into a fixed-size stack buffer without adequate length validation. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory, potentially corrupting the return address and function pointers. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow, which directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The flaw operates at the system level where local users can manipulate process memory mappings to trigger the overflow condition, making it particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted processes might be executed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable arbitrary code execution, making it a significant security concern for systems running affected versions of libgtop2. A successful exploitation could allow local attackers to crash the gnome-system-monitor application or potentially gain elevated privileges through code execution in the context of the monitoring process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a widely used system monitoring tool that typically runs with elevated privileges in many desktop environments. The crash condition occurs when the process mapping information is accessed during system monitoring operations, and the long filename causes the buffer overflow to occur during memory allocation and data processing within the glibtop library. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly, as any process with an excessively long filename in its memory mapping can trigger the vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0235 primarily focus on upgrading to libgtop2 version 2.14.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should prioritize updating the gnome-system-monitor package and underlying libgtop2 library to ensure protection against this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the application code can help prevent similar issues in future development. Organizations should also consider monitoring for processes with unusually long filenames in their system memory mappings as potential indicators of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper memory management, particularly in system-level libraries that are widely deployed across multiple applications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated versions of libgtop2 and related system monitoring tools to prevent exploitation of this and similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities. System hardening measures such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization can provide additional defense-in-depth protection against exploitation attempts.