CVE-2007-3454 in OfficeScan
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in CGIOCommon.dll before 8.0.0.1042 in Trend Micro OfficeScan Corporate Edition 8.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long crafted requests, as demonstrated using a long session cookie to unspecified CGI programs that use this library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3454 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the CGIOCommon.dll library version 8.0.0.1042 and earlier components of Trend Micro OfficeScan Corporate Edition 8.0. This vulnerability resides in the core communication library that handles various CGI program interactions, making it a significant attack vector for remote code execution. The flaw manifests when the system processes long crafted requests, specifically exploiting how the library manages session cookies in CGI applications that utilize this vulnerable component. The buffer overflow occurs due to inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the memory management routines of the CGIOCommon.dll, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic stack-based buffer overflow pattern where insufficient bounds checking permits data to be written beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. When a maliciously crafted session cookie exceeds the predefined buffer limits, the overflow corrupts the stack frame, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data. This memory corruption directly enables attackers to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the stack. The vulnerability's exploitation requires remote access to the affected system through CGI interfaces, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where OfficeScan servers handle web-based administrative tasks or user authentication requests. The specific nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow, which is categorized under the broader weakness of insufficient boundary checking in memory management operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3454 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Once successfully exploited, attackers can gain full administrative privileges on the vulnerable OfficeScan server, potentially leading to data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, or use of the compromised system as a launching point for attacks against other network resources. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on Trend Micro OfficeScan Corporate Edition for endpoint protection, where the server component handles critical administrative functions including policy management, threat detection, and user authentication. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where attackers can not only execute arbitrary code but also potentially disrupt security operations by compromising the very system designed to protect against such threats. The attack vector through CGI programs means that even indirect access paths through web interfaces or API endpoints could be exploited, increasing the overall attack surface and making the vulnerability particularly challenging to secure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3454 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 8.0.0.1042 or later of Trend Micro OfficeScan Corporate Edition, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to OfficeScan server components and restrict direct internet exposure of CGI interfaces. Additional protective measures include implementing robust input validation at multiple network layers, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious session cookie patterns, and establishing network access controls to limit which systems can communicate with vulnerable CGI endpoints. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) emphasizes the need for comprehensive monitoring of command execution patterns and user behavior anomalies. Regular security assessments should verify proper patch management and ensure that all components within the OfficeScan ecosystem maintain current security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.