CVE-2008-0378 in SocksCap
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in SocksCap 2.40-051231 and earlier, when "Resolve all names remotely" is enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long hostname.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-0378 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within SocksCap 2.40 and earlier versions that specifically manifests when the "Resolve all names remotely" feature is activated. This software serves as a SOCKS proxy client that enables applications to route network traffic through SOCKS proxies, making it a crucial component in network security and privacy implementations. The buffer overflow occurs in the hostname resolution process, where the application fails to properly validate the length of incoming hostnames before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers. This vulnerability 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 stack memory locations. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through network-based attacks that target the hostname resolution functionality, making it accessible to remote threat actors without requiring local system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling remote code execution, which significantly elevates the threat level. When attackers send a specially crafted long hostname to the vulnerable SocksCap application, the application's failure to validate input length causes the hostname string to overflow the allocated stack buffer. This overflow corrupts adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function parameters, which can be manipulated by attackers to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where SocksCap is used to route sensitive network traffic through proxy servers, as it could allow attackers to compromise the proxy client itself and potentially gain access to all network communications routed through that proxy. The attack vector specifically targets the DNS resolution process where the application attempts to resolve hostnames through remote SOCKS servers, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors with network access to the vulnerable system.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the classic characteristics of stack-based buffer overflow attacks as documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of code injection and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the SocksCap process, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the application runs with elevated permissions. The denial of service aspect of the vulnerability ensures that even if code execution cannot be achieved, the application will crash and restart, creating availability issues for network services that depend on the proxy functionality. Organizations using SocksCap for network security purposes must recognize that this vulnerability creates a potential backdoor for attackers to gain unauthorized access to network traffic routing capabilities, particularly in environments where the proxy client is used for sensitive communications. The vulnerability affects not only individual workstations but also network infrastructure components that rely on SocksCap for proxy-based network access control and traffic management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0378 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to versions that address the buffer overflow vulnerability. Organizations should disable the "Resolve all names remotely" feature if it is not essential for their operations, as this effectively eliminates the attack surface. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable SocksCap instances to untrusted networks. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual hostname resolution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should include vulnerability scanning for legacy software components like SocksCap, particularly in environments where older versions may still be deployed. System hardening measures including stack protection mechanisms and address space layout randomization should be implemented where possible to reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and implementing proper input validation practices in network applications to prevent similar issues from occurring in other software components.