CVE-2009-2356 in NullLogic Groupware
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the pgsqlQuery function in NullLogic Groupware 1.2.7, when PostgreSQL is used, might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via input to the (1) POP3, (2) SMTP, or (3) web component that triggers a long SQL query.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2356 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the NullLogic Groupware 1.2.7 software suite, specifically affecting systems utilizing PostgreSQL database connections. This vulnerability resides within the pgsqlQuery function, which serves as a critical interface for database communication. The flaw manifests when the application processes input through three distinct communication protocols: POP3, SMTP, and web components, all of which can trigger extended SQL query execution paths that ultimately lead to memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle of stack buffer overflows where insufficient input validation allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. When legitimate input reaches the pgsqlQuery function through any of the three vulnerable components, the application fails to properly sanitize or limit the length of incoming SQL queries. This deficiency enables malicious actors to craft specially constructed input sequences that exceed the predetermined buffer size, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten with attacker-controlled data. The stack-based nature of this overflow means that the return addresses and control flow information stored on the program stack become corrupted, potentially allowing remote code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to organizations utilizing NullLogic Groupware in their email and web infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote exploitation capability eliminates the need for local access, making it particularly dangerous for internet-facing services. The vulnerability affects multiple attack vectors through POP3, SMTP, and web interfaces, increasing the potential attack surface and reducing the effectiveness of traditional network segmentation measures. Organizations relying on this software for email services face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where insufficient bounds checking allows memory corruption. This classification places the vulnerability within the broader context of software security weaknesses that have historically enabled numerous high-impact attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communications, privilege escalation, and execution through remote services. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance, crafting of malicious input through one of the three vulnerable protocols, and subsequent exploitation of the buffer overflow to gain unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the NullLogic Groupware software to version 1.2.8 or later, which contains the necessary code modifications to address the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit direct access to the affected services and consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SQL query patterns. Input validation and sanitization measures should be strengthened at all communication interfaces, with particular attention to SQL query length limitations. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. System administrators should also implement proper monitoring and logging of database activities to detect anomalous SQL query execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.