CVE-2012-10043 in Server
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2025
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in ActFax Server version 4.32, specifically in the "Import Users from File" functionality of the client interface. The application fails to properly validate the length of tab-delimited fields in .exp files, leading to unsafe usage of strcpy() during CSV parsing. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious .exp file and importing it using the default character set "ECMA-94 / Latin 1 (ISO 8859)". Successful exploitation may result in arbitrary code execution, leading to full system compromise. User interaction is required to trigger the vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-10043 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within ActFax Server version 4.32 that manifests through its client interface functionality. This flaw specifically affects the "Import Users from File" feature, which processes tab-delimited data from .exp files containing user information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly check the length of fields within these imported files before processing them through unsafe string manipulation functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the dangerous strcpy() function during CSV parsing operations, where the application copies data from user-supplied .exp files directly into fixed-size stack buffers without sufficient bounds checking. This classic buffer overflow scenario occurs because the application assumes that tab-delimited fields in the .exp files will not exceed predetermined buffer limits, creating a predictable memory corruption vulnerability. The default character set ECMA-94 / Latin 1 (ISO 8859) used during processing further compounds the issue by potentially introducing additional encoding-related complications that could be exploited to manipulate the overflow behavior.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to system security as it allows for arbitrary code execution upon successful exploitation. The requirement for user interaction means that an attacker must convince a legitimate user to import a malicious .exp file, typically through social engineering or by compromising a user's system. However, once triggered, the vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, potentially allowing attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the ActFax service account or even escalate to system-level access. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where fax servers often maintain elevated privileges and access to sensitive business data.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and follows CWE-121 (Stack-based Buffer Overflow) classification, demonstrating how improper input validation can create dangerous execution paths. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying vendor patches, restricting user privileges for fax server operations, and implementing file validation controls for imported data. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious import activities can also help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the fax server infrastructure, as the use of unsafe string handling functions like strcpy() represents a common pattern that may appear elsewhere in legacy applications.