CVE-2012-6090 in SWI-Prolog
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the expand function in os/pl-glob.c in SWI-Prolog before 6.2.5 and 6.3.x before 6.3.7 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6090 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within SWI-Prolog's file globbing functionality. This issue affects versions prior to 6.2.5 and 6.3.7, specifically within the expand function located in the os/pl-glob.c source file. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when processing crafted filenames during glob pattern expansion operations, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited by remote adversaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the expand function failing to properly bounds-check user-supplied filename data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. When SWI-Prolog processes glob patterns containing specially crafted filenames, the system attempts to expand these patterns while storing intermediate results in insufficiently sized stack buffers. This condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory, potentially corrupting program execution flow and leading to unpredictable behavior. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption through stack buffer overflows.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems running affected SWI-Prolog versions, particularly those exposed to untrusted input sources. Attackers can leverage this flaw to trigger application crashes through denial of service attacks or potentially achieve remote code execution if proper exploitation techniques are applied. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the vulnerability could enable privilege escalation or data compromise in environments where SWI-Prolog processes untrusted user input. Systems utilizing SWI-Prolog for web applications, database operations, or automated processing tasks face heightened exposure risk.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation through patch management, upgrading to SWI-Prolog versions 6.2.5 or 6.3.7 and later. Additional mitigations include implementing input validation controls, restricting file globbing operations to trusted inputs, and deploying network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code through manipulated file operations. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls and monitoring for anomalous file globbing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in interpreted languages and demonstrates how seemingly benign file processing functions can become critical attack vectors when insufficiently secured.