CVE-2008-2541 in eTrust Secure Content Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the HTTP Gateway Service (icihttp.exe) in CA eTrust Secure Content Manager 8.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service via long FTP responses, related to (1) the file month field in a LIST command; (2) the PASV command; and (3) directories, files, and links in a LIST command.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2541 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue within the HTTP Gateway Service component of CA eTrust Secure Content Manager version 8.0. This flaw exists in the icihttp.exe executable and manifests through multiple attack vectors that exploit improper input validation during FTP protocol handling. The vulnerability specifically targets the processing of FTP LIST command responses and related FTP control commands, making it particularly dangerous in environments where FTP services are exposed to untrusted networks. The affected service operates as a gateway between HTTP clients and FTP servers, creating a potential attack surface that could be leveraged by remote adversaries to gain unauthorized system access or disrupt service availability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking in the HTTP Gateway Service's FTP response parsing logic. When processing FTP LIST command responses, the service fails to properly validate the length of various fields including the file month field, which directly leads to stack corruption when maliciously crafted responses exceed allocated buffer boundaries. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to the PASV command handling and the parsing of directory, file, and link entries within LIST responses, creating multiple pathways for exploitation. The buffer overflow occurs in the stack memory region where local variables are stored, allowing attackers to overwrite return addresses and function pointers, thereby enabling arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-2541 is severe and multifaceted, potentially enabling remote code execution with the privileges of the affected service process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify system files, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability also presents significant denial of service potential, as malformed FTP responses could cause the HTTP Gateway Service to crash or restart repeatedly, disrupting legitimate FTP operations. In enterprise environments where CA eTrust Secure Content Manager serves as a content filtering or security gateway, this vulnerability could compromise the integrity of the entire security infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to bypass content filtering mechanisms or gain unauthorized access to sensitive network resources. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2541 should focus on immediate patching of the affected CA eTrust Secure Content Manager version 8.0, as this represents the most effective remediation approach. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit exposure of the affected service to untrusted networks, utilizing firewalls to restrict access to FTP-related ports and services. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous FTP LIST command patterns or unusually long responses that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and address space layout randomization (ASLR) can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques such as T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1489 Service Stop, as exploitation could enable attackers to execute commands and potentially disrupt services. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems with signatures specific to this vulnerability to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.