CVE-2007-0475 in smb4k
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in utilities/smb4k_*.cpp in Smb4K before 0.8.0 allow local users, when present on the Smb4K sudoers list, to gain privileges via unspecified vectors related to the args variable and unspecified other variables, in conjunction with the sudo configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0475 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting the Smb4K network filesystem mounting utility suite. This issue exists within the utilities/smb4k_*.cpp source code files of Smb4K versions prior to 0.8.0, creating a significant security risk for systems where Smb4K is configured with sudo privileges. The flaw specifically manifests in the handling of command-line arguments and other unspecified variables within the software's argument processing mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous for environments where privilege escalation is possible through sudo configuration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can be triggered when local users who have been granted sudo access to Smb4K execute specific commands. The args variable and additional unspecified variables within the codebase become vulnerable to overflows when processing user-supplied input parameters, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security that can lead to arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for systems running affected versions of Smb4K, particularly in enterprise environments where sudo configurations grant elevated privileges to users for network filesystem operations. When combined with proper sudo configuration, a local attacker can leverage this buffer overflow to execute malicious code with elevated privileges, potentially compromising entire network filesystem access capabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign utility functions can become attack vectors when proper input validation and buffer management practices are not implemented, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks that align with ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Smb4K to version 0.8.0 or later, where the buffer overflow conditions have been addressed through proper input validation and memory management. System administrators should also review sudo configurations to minimize the attack surface by restricting Smb4K access to only trusted users and implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls and privilege separation. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper software development practices including input validation, buffer size checking, and secure coding methodologies that prevent stack-based buffer overflows from becoming exploitable security vulnerabilities in network utilities and system administration tools.