CVE-2007-3695 in ERwin Process Modeler
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in LICRCMD.EXE in CA ERwin Process Modeler (formerly AllFusion Process Modeler) 7.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long filename. NOTE: the researcher does not suggest any circumstances in which the filename would come from an untrusted source, and therefore perhaps the issue does not cross privilege boundaries and should not be included in CVE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3695 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the LICRCMD.EXE component of CA ERwin Process Modeler version 7.1, formerly known as AllFusion Process Modeler. This software serves as a business process modeling tool that enables organizations to design, analyze, and document their business processes. The buffer overflow occurs specifically when processing filenames that exceed the allocated buffer space, creating a potential entry point for malicious code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exists within a component that handles file operations, making it susceptible to exploitation through crafted input data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the LICRCMD.EXE module, which fails to properly bounds-check the length of filenames before processing them. When a maliciously long filename is provided, the program attempts to copy the data into a fixed-size buffer without sufficient size verification, resulting in memory corruption that can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory. The overflow can potentially overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of business process models stored within the application. The attacker could potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the ERwin Process Modeler application, which typically operates with elevated permissions in enterprise environments. This scenario creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on business process modeling for critical operations, as the compromise of such tools can lead to data theft, process disruption, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's potential for privilege escalation makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where process modeling tools often contain sensitive business information and may be used in security-sensitive contexts.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of code injection, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through buffer overflow exploitation. Organizations should consider implementing multiple layers of defense including input validation, application whitelisting, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper software development practices including bounds checking and memory management, which are fundamental requirements for maintaining application security. The issue also highlights the risks associated with legacy software systems that may not have received adequate security updates or modern security features that would prevent such memory corruption vulnerabilities from occurring. Given the nature of the vulnerability and its potential for remote code execution, organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of the software or implementing compensating controls to mitigate the risk of exploitation.