CVE-2012-6042 in GPSMapEdit
Summary
by MITRE
GPSMapEdit 1.1.73.2 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long string in a lst file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6042 affects GPSMapEdit version 1.1.73.2, a software application used for creating and editing GPS map data. This particular flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through malformed input data within the application's lst file format processing functionality. The vulnerability is classified as a user-assisted remote attack vector, meaning that an attacker must convince a user to open a specially crafted malicious lst file, but the actual exploitation occurs remotely without requiring direct system access. The flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that results in application crash, effectively rendering the software unusable until manual restart occurs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within GPSMapEdit's file parsing routines. When the application processes an lst file containing an excessively long string, the software fails to properly handle buffer boundaries during string processing operations. This condition falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflows when the application's memory management routines do not properly validate string lengths. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the application does not implement proper bounds checking or input sanitization before processing user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through crafted file content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within a targeted environment. While the immediate effect is a denial of service that crashes the GPSMapEdit application, the vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to potentially escalate their control over the affected system. The application crash can be used as a precursor to other attack vectors, particularly in scenarios where GPSMapEdit is used in critical infrastructure applications or embedded systems where service availability is paramount. Additionally, the vulnerability may indicate broader code quality issues within the application that could expose other components to similar risks, making it a potential indicator of overall software security weaknesses.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves updating to the latest available version of GPSMapEdit where the buffer overflow condition has been patched and proper input validation has been implemented. Organizations should also deploy input validation controls at network boundaries to filter out potentially malicious lst files before they reach end-user systems. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for input validation and defensive programming practices. Network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of GPSMapEdit to trusted environments and monitor for unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of third-party applications should include vulnerability scanning and code review processes to identify similar buffer overflow conditions that could be exploited in other software components within the organization's attack surface.