CVE-2008-3871 in UltraISO
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in UltraISO 9.3.1.2633, and possibly other versions before 9.3.3.2685, allow user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in the filename of a (1) DAA or (2) ISZ file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3871 represents a critical format string vulnerability affecting UltraISO software version 9.3.1.2633 and earlier versions up to 9.3.2.2684. This flaw exists within the file processing functionality of the software, specifically when handling compressed archive files with extensions .daa and .isz. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling of user-supplied data during the parsing of file names within these archive formats. Format string vulnerabilities occur when application code uses user-controllable input as format strings without proper sanitization, creating opportunities for malicious input to be interpreted as code execution directives rather than simple data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft specially formatted filenames within DAA or ISZ archive files that contain format specifiers such as %x, %s, or other printf-style directives. When UltraISO processes these filenames, it passes them directly to formatting functions without adequate validation or sanitization, enabling attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability specifically affects the file name parsing component of the software, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal user interaction beyond opening a malicious archive file. The attack vector is classified as user-assisted since the target must open the specially crafted archive file, but the execution occurs automatically within the software context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of UltraISO, potentially leading to data theft, system infiltration, or deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability affects a broad range of systems since UltraISO was widely used for creating and extracting disk images, making it a prime target for exploitation. Organizations using older versions of UltraISO face significant risk as the vulnerability allows for privilege escalation and persistent access to affected systems. This issue particularly impacts enterprise environments where image creation and management tools are commonly deployed, creating potential attack surfaces for sophisticated adversaries.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to UltraISO version 9.3.3.2685 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the format string handling issues. System administrators should also implement strict file validation policies and restrict the execution of untrusted archive files. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that enables code injection attacks. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, and potentially T1068 for local privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and application whitelisting to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability in environments where upgrading may not be immediately feasible. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include checks for outdated software versions that may be susceptible to similar format string vulnerabilities.