CVE-2007-2054 in AFFLIB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in AFFLIB before 2.2.6 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via certain command line parameters, which are used in (1) warn and (2) err calls in (a) lib/s3.cpp, (b) tools/afconvert.cpp, (c) tools/afcopy.cpp, (d) tools/afinfo.cpp, (e) aimage/aimage.cpp, (f) aimage/imager.cpp, and (g) tools/afxml.cpp. NOTE: the aimage.cpp vector (e) has since been recalled from the researcher s original advisory, since the code is not called in any version of AFFLIB.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2054 represents a critical format string vulnerability within the Advanced Forensics Format Library (AFFLIB) version 2.2.5 and earlier. This flaw exists in multiple components of the software suite that handle command line parameter processing, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within printf-style function calls, specifically in warning and error reporting mechanisms that are triggered by command line arguments. These insecure coding practices allow attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of AFFLIB.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through format string exploitation in several key source files including lib/s3.cpp, tools/afconvert.cpp, tools/afcopy.cpp, tools/afinfo.cpp, tools/afxml.cpp, and aimage/imager.cpp. The flaw manifests when command line parameters are passed directly to functions such as warn() and err() without proper sanitization or format string validation. This creates a classic format string vulnerability where attackers can inject format specifiers that cause the application to read from or write to arbitrary memory locations. The CWE-134 classification applies here as the application uses a string as a format string without proper validation, allowing attackers to control the format string arguments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations within forensic computing environments. Since AFFLIB is commonly used in digital forensics and incident response operations, exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to forensic systems, potentially compromising evidence integrity or gaining access to sensitive forensic data. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker could exploit this vulnerability without physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where forensic tools are frequently deployed. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of multiple tools within the AFFLIB suite, including afconvert, afcopy, afinfo, and afxml processing utilities.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to AFFLIB version 2.2.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the format string vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement input validation measures at the application level, ensuring that command line parameters are properly sanitized before being processed by printf-style functions. The ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) could be relevant in understanding how such vulnerabilities might be exploited in real-world scenarios. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running vulnerable versions of AFFLIB, particularly in forensic analysis environments where the integrity of evidence is paramount.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in forensic software development. Given that forensic tools often handle sensitive data and operate in security-critical environments, vulnerabilities like this can have far-reaching consequences beyond simple exploitation. The fact that the vulnerability affects multiple components within the same software library underscores the need for comprehensive code review processes and the implementation of automated security testing procedures to identify similar issues before they can be exploited. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in forensic toolchains, as even minor version updates can address critical security flaws that could compromise entire investigations.