CVE-2011-4620 in PLIB
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the ulSetError function in util/ulError.cxx in PLIB 1.8.5, as used in TORCS 1.3.1 and other products, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving a long error message, as demonstrated by a crafted acc file for TORCS. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4620 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the PLIB library version 1.8.5, specifically within the ulSetError function located in util/ulError.cxx. This flaw exists in TORCS 1.3.1 and potentially other software products that utilize this library component. The buffer overflow occurs when processing error messages that exceed the allocated buffer size, creating a potential exploitation vector for malicious actors. The vulnerability is classified as user-assisted remote, meaning that an attacker must convince a user to interact with a specially crafted malicious file to trigger the exploit, typically through social engineering or deceptive practices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the ulSetError function. When a long error message is processed, the function fails to properly verify that the input data fits within the predetermined buffer limits, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution, as the overflow can overwrite critical program data structures, return addresses, or function pointers. The specific exploitation vector involves crafting a malicious acc file for TORCS, which when loaded triggers the vulnerable error handling path. This demonstrates a classic stack-based buffer overflow scenario where the function's internal buffer lacks proper bounds checking mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain complete control over affected systems running vulnerable versions of TORCS or other products utilizing the PLIB library. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker can potentially compromise systems without requiring physical access or local privileges. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command and scripting interpreter. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that TORCS is often used in educational and research environments where users may be more likely to open unknown files, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected software versions to incorporate proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. System administrators should ensure that all instances of TORCS and other products using PLIB 1.8.5 are updated to versions that address this memory corruption issue. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization and bounds checking within the ulSetError function would prevent the overflow condition from occurring. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though the primary solution remains software patching and version updates. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques when processing untrusted files and establishing strict file validation procedures to prevent exploitation attempts.