CVE-2015-0907 in Lhaplus
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Lhaplus before 1.70 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0907 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Lhaplus software library version 1.69 and earlier. This issue affects the decompression functionality of the library, which is widely used for handling various archive formats including lha archives. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of malformed archive files, specifically when the software attempts to decompress archives containing crafted malicious data structures. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a remote attacker to craft a specially designed archive file that, when processed by the vulnerable Lhaplus library, triggers the buffer overflow condition. When the library attempts to decompress the malicious archive, it fails to properly validate the size of data structures within the archive, allowing an attacker to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures within the program's memory space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote code execution without requiring any local privileges, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise systems running applications that utilize the vulnerable library.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0907 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can be exploited across multiple platforms and applications that depend on the Lhaplus library for archive handling. Systems that process untrusted archive files, such as email servers, web applications, content management systems, and file sharing platforms, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute code on target systems. The exploitability of this vulnerability is further enhanced by the widespread use of Lhaplus across various software applications and operating systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0907 primarily involve immediate patching of the vulnerable Lhaplus library to version 1.70 or later, which contains the necessary bounds checking fixes and memory validation routines. Organizations should also implement network-based mitigations such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious archive file transfers. Application-level defenses include implementing proper input validation for archive files, using sandboxing techniques to isolate archive processing, and employing privilege separation mechanisms to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual archive processing activities and potential exploitation attempts through anomalous network traffic patterns or system behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party libraries used in application development, particularly in environments where untrusted data processing occurs.