CVE-2007-0879 in PEBrowse
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in SmidgeonSoft PEBrowse Professional 8.2.1.0 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via certain executable files in PE format. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0879 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within SmidgeonSoft PEBrowse Professional version 8.2.1.0, a popular executable file analysis tool used by developers and security professionals for examining portable executable files. This vulnerability specifically affects the tool's handling of PE (Portable Executable) format files, which are the standard file format for executables, object code, and dynamic link libraries on Windows operating systems. The flaw exists in how the application processes certain executable files, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the software's memory management shortcomings.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when PEBrowse Professional attempts to parse and analyze PE files that contain specially crafted malformed data structures. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking in the application's code that processes executable file headers and metadata. When the software encounters a PE file with oversized or malformed sections, it fails to properly validate the input data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This classic programming error allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the program's execution flow. The vulnerability is classified as user-assisted remote code execution because it requires a user to open a malicious PE file through the vulnerable application, but the remote aspect comes from the ability to deliver the malicious file via network means such as email attachments, file sharing, or web downloads.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations that rely on PEBrowse Professional for software analysis and reverse engineering activities. The attack vector typically involves social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into opening malicious executable files through various delivery mechanisms. Once a user opens the crafted PE file within the vulnerable application, the attacker can potentially gain full control over the system running PEBrowse Professional, as the buffer overflow allows for arbitrary code execution. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation since the vulnerable application is often run with elevated privileges during software development and debugging activities, potentially providing attackers with administrative access to target systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a common attack pattern categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the 'Exploitation for Client Execution' technique, where adversaries leverage client-side vulnerabilities to execute malicious code.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including updating to the latest version of PEBrowse Professional where the buffer overflow has been patched and fixed. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies and avoid opening untrusted executable files with analysis tools that may contain such vulnerabilities. Network security controls such as email filtering and web proxies can help prevent the delivery of malicious PE files to end users. Additionally, security awareness training for developers and IT personnel is essential to recognize social engineering attempts that might lead to exploitation of this type of vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of potentially vulnerable analysis tools unless absolutely necessary, and ensure that all software is kept current with the latest security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in security tools, as these applications often process untrusted data from multiple sources while maintaining elevated system privileges.