CVE-2008-4396 in FileAlyzer
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Safer Networking FileAlyzer 1.6.0.0 and 1.6.0.4 beta, and possibly other versions, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an executable with malformed version data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4396 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting Safer Networking FileAlyzer versions 1.6.0.0 and 1.6.0.4 beta, with potential impact extending to other versions within the product line. This vulnerability resides in the software's handling of executable files containing malformed version information, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory segments. The flaw manifests when the application processes files with specially crafted version data that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack, leading to potential memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. This type of 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 memory locations including return addresses and function parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables remote code execution through user-assisted attacks, meaning that an attacker need not directly interact with the vulnerable system but can instead exploit the application's file processing capabilities through social engineering or malicious file delivery. The attack vector typically involves an attacker crafting a specially designed executable file containing malformed version information that when opened or analyzed by the vulnerable FileAlyzer application triggers the buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that attackers can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting return addresses, potentially allowing them to redirect execution to malicious code injected into the buffer space, thereby achieving unauthorized system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions to address the underlying buffer overflow condition in the version data parsing routine. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures and avoid processing untrusted executable files through vulnerable applications, particularly in environments where FileAlyzer is used for security analysis or file inspection tasks. The recommended approach includes deploying input validation controls that enforce proper bounds checking on version information fields and implementing stack protection mechanisms such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to complicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and application whitelisting can help prevent unauthorized execution of vulnerable software while maintaining operational security. Security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous file processing activities and unauthorized access attempts to systems running vulnerable versions of FileAlyzer, with particular attention to suspicious file analysis patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in security applications where file processing capabilities can become attack vectors if not properly secured against buffer overflow conditions.