CVE-2010-2801 in cabextract
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in the Quantum decompressor in cabextract before 1.3, when archive test mode is used, allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted Quantum archive in a .cab file, related to the libmspack library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2801 represents a critical integer signedness error within the Quantum decompressor component of cabextract version 1.3 and earlier. This flaw exists specifically when the application operates in archive test mode, creating a condition where maliciously crafted Quantum archives contained within .cab files can trigger unintended behavior. The issue stems from improper handling of signed and unsigned integer operations during decompression processes, allowing attackers to manipulate the decompression logic through carefully constructed archive data.
This vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple cybersecurity domains and can be classified under CWE-191, which deals with integer underflow and overflow conditions. The flaw manifests when the Quantum decompressor processes archive data without proper validation of integer values, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through software exploitation, specifically under the T1068 privilege escalation tactic where attackers leverage application-level vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges or cause system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it potentially enables remote code execution capabilities. When a user or application processes a maliciously crafted .cab file containing a Quantum archive with manipulated integer values, the decompressor may attempt to allocate memory blocks that exceed normal boundaries or perform operations on invalid memory addresses. This can result in application crashes, system instability, or in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges from the attacker beyond the ability to deliver a malicious archive file, making it a user-assisted remote attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2801 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches to the cabextract utility and the underlying libmspack library. Organizations should prioritize updating to cabextract version 1.3 or later, which includes fixes for the integer signedness error. Additionally, implementing network-based security controls such as file type filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious .cab file patterns and monitor for unusual decompression activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer validation and bounds checking in decompression algorithms, particularly when processing untrusted data from external sources, reinforcing principles outlined in secure coding standards and best practices for memory safety.