CVE-2010-2539 in MapServer
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the msTmpFile function in maputil.c in mapserv in MapServer before 4.10.6 and 5.x before 5.6.4 allows local users to cause a denial of service via vectors involving names of temporary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2539 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the MapServer mapping software ecosystem, specifically affecting the msTmpFile function located in the maputil.c source file. This issue exists in MapServer versions prior to 4.10.6 and 5.x versions prior to 5.6.4, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this geospatial mapping platform. The buffer overflow occurs during the handling of temporary file names, which can be exploited by local attackers to manipulate memory structures and potentially execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking when processing temporary file name strings, allowing attackers to exceed allocated buffer boundaries and corrupt adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition where the msTmpFile function fails to properly validate the length of temporary file names before copying them into fixed-size buffers. This flaw falls under the CWE-121 CWE category, which encompasses buffer overflow conditions that occur when data is copied into a buffer without proper bounds checking. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as local users with minimal privileges can leverage this weakness to disrupt normal system operations or potentially escalate their privileges within the affected environment. Attackers can craft malicious temporary file names that exceed buffer limits, causing the application to crash or behave unpredictably, thereby creating a denial of service condition that can affect map rendering services and geospatial data processing capabilities.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network disruption through resource exhaustion or service interruption. The local nature of this exploit means that attackers must already have access to the system to leverage the vulnerability, but the potential for causing service disruption makes it particularly concerning for organizations running MapServer in production environments. The vulnerability affects MapServer's ability to properly manage temporary files during map rendering processes, which are essential for handling various geospatial operations including map image generation, data processing, and spatial analysis tasks. Organizations utilizing MapServer for critical mapping services face significant operational risks when this vulnerability remains unpatched, as it can lead to complete service outages during peak usage periods.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2010-2539 centers on immediate patch deployment to upgrade MapServer installations to versions 4.10.6 or 5.6.4 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including restricting local user access to MapServer processes, monitoring for unusual temporary file creation patterns, and establishing robust input validation procedures for all file name handling operations. The fix implemented in the patched versions involves proper bounds checking and input validation within the msTmpFile function to prevent buffer overflows when processing temporary file names. Organizations should conduct thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the security updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing map server configurations and geospatial applications. Regular vulnerability assessments and security monitoring should be implemented to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other components of the geospatial software stack, as this vulnerability represents a broader class of memory corruption issues that can affect various mapping and GIS platforms.