CVE-2008-5177 in Yosemite Backup
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the DtbClsLogin function in Yosemite Backup 8.7 allows remote attackers to (1) execute arbitrary code on a Linux platform, related to libytlindtb.so; or (2) cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code on a Windows platform, related to ytwindtb.dll; via a long username field during authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5177 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting Yosemite Backup 8.7 software across multiple operating systems. This flaw manifests within the DtbClsLogin function, which handles authentication processes for the backup application. The vulnerability specifically targets the libytlindtb.so library on Linux systems and the ytwindtb.dll library on Windows platforms, demonstrating how cross-platform software can harbor identical security weaknesses despite different underlying implementations.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability involves improper input validation during the authentication process where the application fails to properly bounds-check user-supplied username data. When an attacker submits a username field exceeding the allocated buffer space, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the stack structure and allowing arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The overflow occurs because the application does not implement proper input length validation or sanitization before processing authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability varies significantly between target platforms but remains equally dangerous. On Linux systems, remote attackers can leverage this buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running backup service, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack requires no authentication to initiate, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the backup server. On Windows platforms, while the primary impact is denial of service through application crashes, the vulnerability also presents potential for arbitrary code execution, though this may require additional exploitation techniques or specific system conditions. The cross-platform nature of this vulnerability demonstrates how software vulnerabilities can manifest consistently across different operating environments despite platform-specific implementations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5177 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Yosemite Backup 8.7 software, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to backup servers and employ input validation mechanisms at multiple layers of the application architecture. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution highlights the importance of network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation for backup services can significantly reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation, as attackers would need additional credentials or system access to fully compromise the environment. Organizations should also consider deploying application whitelisting solutions and regularly updating their software inventory to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other backup and data protection applications.