CVE-2007-2652 in Free-SA
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in Free-SA before 1.2.2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors involving certain (1) sprintf and (2) vsprintf calls in (a) r_index.c, (b) r_reports.c, (c) r_topsites.c, (d) r_topuser.c, (e) r_typical.c, (f) r_userdatetime.c, and (g) r_users.c in reports/; and (h) w_fs.c, (i) w_internal.c, and (j) w_log_operations.c in work/, probably related to buffer overflows. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2652 represents a critical security flaw in the Free-SA web application security tool version 1.2.1 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of string formatting functions within multiple source code files across the application's reporting and working modules. The affected components include several C source files in the reports/ directory such as r_index.c, r_reports.c, r_topsites.c, r_topuser.c, r_typical.c, r_userdatetime.c, and r_users.c, as well as files in the work/ directory including w_fs.c, w_internal.c, and w_log_operations.c. These specific files contain vulnerable sprintf and vsprintf function calls that create opportunities for malicious exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses categorized under CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow conditions. The use of unsafe string formatting functions like sprintf and vsprintf without proper bounds checking creates predictable buffer overflow scenarios where attackers can manipulate input data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. These functions are particularly dangerous because they do not perform automatic bounds checking on the destination buffer, allowing attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries and potentially overwrite critical program data or executable code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution capabilities for attackers who can leverage the buffer overflow conditions through carefully crafted input parameters. When the vulnerable Free-SA application processes user-supplied data through these unsafe string formatting operations, an attacker can inject malicious code that gets executed in the context of the web application process. This remote code execution vulnerability allows adversaries to gain unauthorized access to the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor access. The vulnerability affects the application's reporting functionality, which typically processes log data and user inputs, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application handles sensitive security information.
The attack surface is expanded due to the widespread use of these string formatting functions across multiple modules within the Free-SA application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core operational components that process various types of user inputs and log data from security monitoring activities. Attackers can exploit this through the web interface or API endpoints that utilize these vulnerable functions, making the exploitation relatively straightforward compared to more complex attack vectors. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques such as T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1106 for execution through APIs, as the exploitation involves injecting malicious code through the application's processing of input data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Free-SA application to version 1.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should also implement input validation and sanitization measures to reduce the attack surface, particularly for any user-supplied data that flows into the vulnerable string formatting functions. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks. The implementation of address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these are not substitutes for proper code fixes. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their Free-SA installations and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts.