CVE-2012-6275 in BigAnt IM Message Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in AntDS.exe in BigAntSoft BigAnt IM Message Server allow remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via (1) the filename header in an SCH request or (2) the userid component in a DUPF request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6275 represents a critical security flaw in the BigAnt IM Message Server software, specifically within the AntDS.exe component that handles instant messaging communications. This vulnerability manifests as multiple stack-based buffer overflows, which occur when the server processes specially crafted requests from remote attackers without proper input validation. The affected protocol uses the SCH (Schedule) and DUPF (Duplicate File) request types to manage messaging operations, making the server susceptible to exploitation through these communication channels.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the AntDS.exe application when processing the filename header field in SCH requests and the userid component within DUPF requests. When an attacker sends malformed data containing excessive input lengths to these specific header fields, the application fails to validate the input size against the allocated buffer space on the stack. This allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, application crashes, or system compromise. The stack-based nature of these buffer overflows means that the overflow occurs in the program's stack memory space, which can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected server system. This could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description suggests that the vulnerability could potentially lead to various security consequences including data breaches, privilege escalation, or complete system takeover depending on the execution environment and attack vector employed. Organizations using BigAnt IM Message Server are particularly vulnerable since the attack can be executed remotely without requiring authentication or local access to the system.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including applying vendor patches and updates to the BigAnt IM Message Server software to address the buffer overflow conditions. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the messaging server to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous SCH and DUPF request patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a technique commonly used in the attack lifecycle documented under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically in the execution and privilege escalation phases. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying the specific packet structures associated with these malformed requests, and regular security assessments should be conducted to verify proper patch management and configuration hardening of messaging infrastructure components.