CVE-2007-2352 in AFFLIB
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in AFFLIB 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, possibly involving (a) lib/s3.cpp, (b) tools/afconvert.cpp, (c) tools/afcopy.cpp, (d) tools/afinfo.cpp, (e) aimage/imager.cpp, and (f) tools/afxml.cpp. NOTE: this identifier is intended to address the vectors that were not fixed in CVE-2007-2054, but the unfixed vectors were not explicitly listed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2352 represents a critical format string vulnerability within the Advanced Forensic Format Library (AFFLIB) version 2.2.6. This issue affects multiple components of the forensic imaging toolkit that are commonly used in digital forensics operations. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within command line parameter processing, creating opportunities for remote code execution attacks that could compromise systems running affected software. The flaw specifically manifests in the warn and err function calls where format string vulnerabilities occur, making it particularly dangerous as these functions are frequently invoked during forensic operations and error reporting scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted command line parameters that are processed by the affected modules within AFFLIB. These modules include lib/s3.cpp for s3 storage integration, tools/afconvert.cpp for format conversion, tools/afcopy.cpp for file copying operations, tools/afinfo.cpp for information extraction, aimage/imager.cpp for image processing, and tools/afxml.cpp for xml handling. When these modules receive malformed input, the format string vulnerabilities allow attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-134 which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where format strings are constructed from user-controlled data without proper validation or sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to potentially compromise entire forensic investigations and digital evidence integrity. Attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems running AFFLIB tools, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or disruption of forensic workflows. The nature of forensic tools makes them particularly attractive targets since they often process sensitive data and may be running with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of forensic imaging and analysis tools, potentially allowing attackers to corrupt evidence, modify forensic data, or gain persistent access to systems. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and trustworthiness of digital forensic processes, which is critical for legal proceedings and security investigations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2352 should focus on immediate patching of the affected AFFLIB version 2.2.6 to address the format string vulnerabilities in all identified modules. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization practices for all command line parameters processed by forensic tools, ensuring that user input is properly escaped or validated before being used in printf-style functions. The implementation of address space layout randomization (ASLR) and data execution prevention (DEP) can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of forensic tools to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other forensic tools and systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter with format string exploitation techniques, emphasizing the need for defensive measures targeting these specific attack vectors in forensic environments.