CVE-2008-5755 in IntelliTamper
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in IntelliTamper 2.07 and 2.08 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a MAP file containing a long URL, possibly a related issue to CVE-2006-2494.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5755 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in IntelliTamper versions 2.07 and 2.08, a web application firewall and security tool designed to protect web applications from various attacks. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation when processing MAP files, which are configuration files used by IntelliTamper to define security policies and rules for protecting web applications. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes a MAP file containing an excessively long URL, causing a buffer overflow condition that can be exploited remotely by attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack-based buffer overflow pattern where the application fails to properly bounds-check the length of URL data extracted from MAP files during processing. When an attacker crafts a malicious MAP file with an overly long URL string, the application attempts to store this data in a fixed-size stack buffer that cannot accommodate the excessive input. This overflow corrupts adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data, allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the buffer. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without requiring authentication and can be triggered through network-based attacks, making it suitable for automated exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations using IntelliTamper versions 2.07 and 2.08 as their primary web application security solution. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The remote exploit capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or local network privileges, enabling them to target vulnerable installations from anywhere on the internet. Organizations may experience service disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to the compromise of their web application security infrastructure. The vulnerability also represents a related issue to CVE-2006-2494, indicating a pattern of similar buffer overflow flaws in the IntelliTamper product line that suggests broader architectural weaknesses in input handling and memory management.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as network-level protective measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to versions of IntelliTamper that contain proper input validation and bounds-checking mechanisms to prevent buffer overflow conditions. Network administrators should implement additional protective measures including firewall rules that limit access to IntelliTamper services, intrusion detection system monitoring for suspicious MAP file upload activities, and network segmentation to isolate affected systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a technique commonly used in the attack lifecycle documented under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically in the execution and privilege escalation phases where attackers leverage memory corruption vulnerabilities to achieve system compromise. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other instances of similar buffer overflow patterns in their web application security infrastructure to prevent similar exploitation vectors from being available for future attacks.