CVE-2015-2869 in FileInfo Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The FileInfo plugin before 2.22 for Ghisler Total Commander allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and application crash) via (1) a large Size value in the Archive Member Header of a COFF Archive Library file, (2) a large Number Of Symbols value in the 1st Linker Member of a COFF Archive Library file, (3) a large Resource Table Count value in the LE Header of a Linear Executable file, or (4) a large value in a certain Object field in a Resource Table Entry in a Linear Executable file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2869 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition affecting the FileInfo plugin in Ghisler Total Commander versions prior to 2.22. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the plugin's parsing logic for various binary file formats including COFF archive libraries and Linear Executable files. The vulnerability exists in the plugin's handling of structured data within these file formats, where specific header fields contain values that are not properly bounded before being used in memory operations.
The technical flaw manifests through four distinct attack vectors that exploit different sections of binary file formats. The first vector involves a large Size value within the Archive Member Header of COFF Archive Library files, which when processed without proper bounds checking can cause the application to read memory beyond allocated buffers. The second vector targets the Number Of Symbols field in the first Linker Member of COFF archives, where excessive values trigger similar out-of-bounds memory access patterns. The third and fourth vectors target the LE Header of Linear Executable files and Resource Table Entry fields respectively, all following the same pattern of insufficient input validation leading to memory corruption.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems, and represents a classic example of buffer over-read flaws that can lead to application instability and potential exploitation. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as the out-of-bounds reads can potentially expose sensitive memory contents or cause unpredictable application behavior that may be leveraged in more sophisticated attacks. The attack requires minimal privileges since it operates through normal file processing operations within the Total Commander application interface.
The security implications of CVE-2015-2869 align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers could potentially craft malicious files to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the Total Commander application, making it susceptible to persistent denial of service attacks where remote adversaries can repeatedly crash the application. The affected file formats are commonly encountered in system administration and software development environments, increasing the potential attack surface.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch application to version 2.22 or later of the FileInfo plugin, which includes proper bounds checking for all affected header fields. Additionally, implementing input validation measures at the application level can provide defense in depth, ensuring that all binary file headers are properly validated before processing. Network administrators should consider restricting access to file processing functionality in environments where untrusted files may be encountered, and implementing proper file type detection and sandboxing techniques can further reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation in file parsing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party plugins in file management applications.