CVE-2008-4631 in MUSCLE
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Message::AddToString function in message/Message.cpp in MUSCLE before 4.40 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted message. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4631 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the MUSCLE framework's Message::AddToString function located in message/Message.cpp. This vulnerability affects MUSCLE versions prior to 4.40 and constitutes a significant security weakness that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The flaw manifests when the function processes crafted messages that exceed the allocated buffer space, creating conditions that enable attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow through stack corruption techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the Message::AddToString function where the software fails to properly bounds-check data before copying it to a fixed-size stack buffer. This deficiency allows attackers to inject malicious data that overflows the allocated memory space, potentially overwriting adjacent stack variables, return addresses, and control information. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software security that enables attackers to corrupt program execution and potentially gain unauthorized code execution privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to systems utilizing MUSCLE frameworks, as remote attackers can leverage it to cause system crashes and denial of service conditions. The potential for arbitrary code execution adds an additional layer of severity that could allow attackers to compromise entire systems, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access points within network environments. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information that may be processed through the vulnerable MUSCLE framework.
The attack vector for this vulnerability operates through remote message transmission, where attackers craft specially formatted messages that trigger the buffer overflow condition when processed by the vulnerable function. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain code execution privileges, and T1499, which covers the use of denial of service attacks to disrupt system availability. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites beyond the ability to send messages to systems running vulnerable MUSCLE versions, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where message passing is common.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4631 include immediate upgrading to MUSCLE version 4.40 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit exposure, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious message patterns, and conduct thorough security assessments of all systems utilizing MUSCLE frameworks. Additionally, input validation controls should be strengthened at multiple layers of the application architecture to prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other components. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions while maintaining the system's intended functionality and security posture.