CVE-2008-6363 in DesignWorks
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in DesignWorks Professional 4.3.1 and 5.0.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .cct file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6363 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within DesignWorks Professional versions 4.3.1 and 5.0.7. This security defect arises from improper input validation when processing specially crafted .cct files, which are used for storing circuit design data within the software environment. The flaw exists in the file parsing mechanism that fails to adequately check buffer boundaries during the processing of user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's handling of structured data within the .cct file format, which contains circuit component definitions, connection details, and design parameters that are parsed and loaded into memory during normal operation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input data within the .cct file format, where attackers can craft malicious payloads that exceed the allocated buffer space on the stack. When the DesignWorks Professional application attempts to parse and load the malformed file, the excessive data overflows the predetermined buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This overflow condition creates an opportunity for attackers to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected within the crafted payload, effectively allowing for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application process. The vulnerability is classified as remote because attackers can exploit it without requiring local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where design files may be shared or downloaded from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a severe compromise of system integrity and confidentiality within engineering and design environments. Organizations utilizing DesignWorks Professional for circuit design and electronics development face significant risks when this vulnerability exists, as attackers could potentially implant backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive design intellectual property, or disrupt critical engineering workflows. The attack vector through .cct files means that legitimate users might unknowingly execute malicious code when opening compromised design files, creating a sophisticated social engineering component to the attack. This vulnerability particularly affects industries where electronic design automation tools are extensively used, including automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics manufacturing, where the exposure of design data or system compromise could result in substantial financial and operational losses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6363 should focus on immediate remediation through official vendor patches and updates, while implementing defensive measures such as input validation controls and file access restrictions. Organizations should establish strict file validation procedures for .cct files, particularly those received from external sources or untrusted parties, and consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for file processing operations. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other legacy software systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a typical attack pattern that would be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation typically involves executing malicious code through compromised application processes. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.