CVE-2007-2053 in AFFLIB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in AFFLIB before 2.2.6 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via (1) a long LastModified value in an S3 XML response in lib/s3.cpp; (2) a long (a) path or (b) bucket in an S3 URL in lib/vnode_s3.cpp; or (3) a long (c) EFW, (d) AFD, or (c) aimage file path. NOTE: the aimage vector (3c) has since been recalled from the researcher's original advisory, since the code is not called in any version of AFFLIB.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2053 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue affecting the Advanced Forensic Format Library (AFFLIB) version 2.2.5 and earlier. This flaw exists within the library's handling of S3 protocol responses and file path operations, creating multiple attack vectors that could be exploited by remote adversaries to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the library's S3 implementation components, specifically in the lib/s3.cpp, lib/vnode_s3.cpp, and related file processing functions. These buffer overflows occur when the library processes malformed or excessively long input parameters without proper bounds checking, leading to memory corruption that can result in program termination or potentially arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through three distinct attack vectors that leverage different components of the S3 protocol handling within AFFLIB. The first vector involves manipulation of the LastModified field in S3 XML responses within the lib/s3.cpp module, where a maliciously crafted long string value can overflow the allocated stack buffer. The second vector targets S3 URL parsing in lib/vnode_s3.cpp, specifically when processing excessively long path or bucket parameters, while the third vector involves file path handling for EFW, AFD, and aimage file types. The aimage vector was later removed from the original advisory as it was determined that the affected code path was not present in any released versions of the library, demonstrating the importance of precise vulnerability analysis and version-specific assessment.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for systems relying on AFFLIB for forensic data processing and S3 protocol integration. The potential for remote code execution makes this particularly dangerous in environments where forensic tools process untrusted data from external sources, such as cloud storage services or third-party forensic evidence. The denial of service aspect alone could disrupt critical forensic workflows where system availability is paramount, while the arbitrary code execution capability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems processing forensic data. The vulnerability affects systems where AFFLIB is integrated into forensic tools, cloud storage applications, or any software that processes S3 protocol responses and file paths without proper input sanitization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2053 should focus on immediate version upgrades to AFFLIB 2.2.6 or later, which contain the necessary patches for the identified buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures within their applications that utilize AFFLIB, particularly when processing S3 protocol responses or file paths from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure to potentially malicious S3 responses, while regular security assessments should verify that no other components in the software stack are vulnerable to similar buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, and represents a typical attack pattern that could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for potential exploitation scenarios involving code execution. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to provide additional defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation attempts.