CVE-2007-4198 in The Slueth Kit
Summary
by MITRE
The fs_data_put_str function in ntfs.c in fls in Brian Carrier The Sleuth Kit (TSK) before 2.09 does not validate a certain length value, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and prevent examination of certain NTFS files via a malformed NTFS image, which triggers a buffer over-read.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4198 resides within The Sleuth Kit (TSK), a widely used digital forensics framework developed by Brian Carrier. This particular flaw exists in the fs_data_put_str function located in the ntfs.c file, which is part of the file system analysis capabilities of TSK. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer over-read condition that can be exploited through malformed NTFS image files, making it particularly dangerous in digital forensics environments where analysts process potentially malicious or corrupted evidence. The flaw specifically affects versions of TSK prior to 2.09, indicating that this was a known issue that required patching to maintain the integrity of forensic analysis operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the fs_data_put_str function, which processes string data during NTFS file system analysis. When processing a malformed NTFS image, the function fails to properly validate a critical length parameter that determines how much data should be read from memory. This validation gap allows an attacker to craft a specially constructed NTFS image that, when processed by TSK's fls utility, triggers a buffer over-read condition. The buffer over-read occurs because the application attempts to read beyond the allocated memory boundaries, leading to unpredictable behavior including application crashes and potential memory corruption. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems. The flaw operates at the application layer, specifically within the file system parsing functionality of forensic tools, making it particularly problematic for digital investigators who rely on these tools for evidence analysis.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it fundamentally compromises the ability of digital forensics analysts to examine critical evidence. When an attacker successfully triggers this vulnerability through a malformed NTFS image, the affected TSK application crashes and becomes unavailable for further analysis, effectively preventing investigators from examining potentially important files. This creates a significant risk in forensic workflows where analysts may encounter corrupted or malicious evidence files that could be used to evade detection. The vulnerability particularly impacts the fls utility within TSK, which is commonly used to list file system contents from various file systems including NTFS. The remote aspect of this attack means that an adversary could potentially deliver a malicious image file to a forensic analyst's system, leading to an automated crash without requiring physical access to the target system. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004, which covers the use of application crashes to disrupt forensic analysis processes. The vulnerability essentially creates a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate forensic examination, potentially allowing malicious actors to hide evidence from investigation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4198 focus primarily on updating to patched versions of The Sleuth Kit, specifically version 2.09 or later, which contain the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure that all forensic tools remain current with security updates, as this vulnerability represents a known weakness that could be exploited in real-world scenarios. Additionally, forensic analysts should employ defensive measures such as validating input files through multiple verification methods before processing them with TSK tools. System administrators should consider implementing sandboxing techniques for processing potentially malicious NTFS images, creating isolated environments that can contain any potential crashes or corruption. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation in security-critical applications, particularly those used in digital forensics where the integrity of evidence examination is paramount. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their forensic toolchains to identify similar validation gaps that could be exploited in other components of their digital investigation infrastructure, ensuring that their forensic capabilities remain robust against both intentional attacks and accidental corruption.