CVE-2007-5658 in Enterprise Message Service
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in TIBCO SmartSockets RTserver 6.8.0 and earlier, RTworks before 4.0.4, and Enterprise Message Service (EMS) 4.0.0 through 4.4.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted requests containing size and copy-length values that trigger the overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5658 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting multiple TIBCO messaging products including SmartSockets RTserver version 6.8.0 and earlier, RTworks before version 4.0.4, and Enterprise Message Service (EMS) versions 4.0.0 through 4.4.1. This flaw resides in the handling of crafted network requests that contain malformed size and copy-length parameters, creating conditions where attackers can manipulate memory allocation and execution flow. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where these messaging systems are deployed. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that memory corruption occurs in the heap memory space rather than on the stack, which can lead to more complex exploitation techniques and potentially more severe consequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the message processing routines of these TIBCO products. When the system receives a crafted request containing oversized size parameters or copy-length values, the application fails to properly bounds-check the data before performing memory operations. This lack of proper validation allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent heap memory regions, potentially corrupting heap metadata or function pointers that control program execution flow. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables remote code execution through manipulated client requests. The flaw particularly affects systems where these messaging components are exposed to untrusted networks or where access controls are insufficient to prevent unauthorized request injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain full control over affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive business data, disruption of critical messaging services, and lateral movement within network environments where these systems operate. The widespread deployment of TIBCO messaging solutions across enterprise networks means that a successful exploitation could affect multiple systems simultaneously, particularly in environments where these products are used for mission-critical communications and transaction processing. Organizations relying on these messaging platforms may experience service interruptions, data integrity violations, and compliance violations due to the potential for unauthorized access and system manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5658 should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and establishing robust input validation controls. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of TIBCO SmartSockets RTserver 6.8.1 or later, RTworks 4.0.4 or later, and Enterprise Message Service 4.4.2 or later, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow conditions. Network-level protections should include firewall rules restricting access to affected systems, implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious request patterns, and deploying application firewalls that can detect and block malformed requests. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to make exploitation more difficult. The remediation process should also include thorough security testing of messaging components and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other enterprise messaging systems.