CVE-2007-5279 in PowerArchiver
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in ConeXware PowerArchiver before 10.20.21 might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long filename in a BlackHole archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2018
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in ConeXware PowerArchiver represents a critical security flaw that emerged in software versions prior to 10.20.21. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the archive handling functionality, specifically when processing BlackHole archive formats. The flaw manifests when the application encounters a filename that exceeds the allocated buffer size during decompression operations, creating conditions that enable malicious code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management practices within the PowerArchiver application's archive parsing routines. When processing archive files, the software allocates a fixed-size buffer on the heap to store filename information but fails to validate the length of incoming filenames against this buffer boundary. This allows attackers to craft malicious BlackHole archive files containing excessively long filenames that overwrite adjacent heap memory regions, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on PowerArchiver for file management and archiving operations. Attackers can exploit this flaw remotely by delivering maliciously crafted BlackHole archive files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The remote execution capability means that systems running vulnerable versions of PowerArchiver could be compromised without user interaction, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where automated file processing occurs.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which is categorized under the broader weakness of insufficient boundary checking in memory management operations. This weakness is particularly relevant in the context of the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system. The vulnerability also relates to T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, as it targets client-side applications through archive processing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of PowerArchiver installations to version 10.20.21 or later, which contains the necessary memory validation fixes. Organizations should implement network-based controls such as email filtering and web content filtering to prevent delivery of potentially malicious archive files to end users. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown archive files, particularly those received through untrusted sources. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized archive processing applications, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries.