CVE-2010-2930 in hsolink
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in hsolinkcontrol in hsolink 1.0.118 allow local users to gain privileges via long command-line arguments, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-1671. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2930 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the hsolinkcontrol component of the hsolink software version 1.0.118. This issue specifically affects the handling of command-line arguments, creating a pathway for local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates through the exploitation of improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately check the length of user-provided command-line parameters, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from the insufficient bounds checking within the hsolinkcontrol module's argument parsing routines. When legitimate users provide command-line arguments that exceed the allocated buffer space, the program fails to properly terminate or validate input length, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute malicious code. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running the affected hsolink software, particularly in environments where local user access is possible. The local privilege escalation aspect means that attackers who can execute commands on the target system with standard user privileges can potentially elevate their access level to system administrator or root level. This creates a substantial attack surface for malicious actors who may have gained initial access through other means, as they can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent control over the compromised system. The vulnerability's classification aligns with attack techniques described in the mitre att&ck framework under privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through memory corruption attacks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires local system access and involves crafting command-line arguments that exceed the buffer capacity, typically through the use of long argument strings that trigger the overflow condition. Attackers can manipulate the stack layout to redirect program execution flow, potentially injecting shellcode or leveraging existing system binaries to achieve their objectives. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can provide attackers with persistent access mechanisms and potentially serve as a stepping stone for broader network infiltration. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of defense-in-depth strategies, implementing proper input validation, privilege separation, and regular software updates to prevent exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2930 should include immediate software patching from the vendor to address the buffer overflow implementation issues. Organizations should also implement proper input validation controls at all levels of the application stack, including command-line argument parsing routines. Additional protective measures include privilege separation techniques, where applications run with minimal necessary privileges, and monitoring for unusual command-line argument patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. System hardening practices such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional layers of protection against successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other software components, as this type of buffer overflow vulnerability remains prevalent in legacy software systems.