CVE-2016-20045 in Organizer
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2026
HNB Organizer 1.9.18-10 contains a local buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying an oversized argument to the -rc command-line parameter. Attackers can craft a malicious input string exceeding 108 bytes containing shellcode and a return address to overwrite the stack and achieve code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-20045 resides within HNB Organizer version 1.9.18-10, a software application that processes command-line arguments through its -rc parameter. This local buffer overflow represents a critical security flaw that directly enables privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution within the targeted system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking during argument processing, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic stack-based buffer overflow scenario where the application fails to properly validate the length of input provided to the -rc command-line parameter. When an attacker supplies an input string exceeding 108 bytes, the application's memory management fails to contain the data within allocated buffer boundaries. This overflow allows the attacker to overwrite the return address stored on the stack, effectively redirecting program execution flow to malicious shellcode embedded within the oversized input payload. The vulnerability operates at the application level and requires local system access, making it a local privilege escalation vector rather than a remote exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system's resources and potentially enables further lateral movement within network environments. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the targeted user account, which may or may not be elevated depending on the application's execution context. The vulnerability's local nature means that attackers must first gain access to the system through other means, but once achieved, the exploit can be leveraged to establish persistent access or escalate privileges further.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of vendor patches or updates that implement proper input validation and buffer size enforcement. System administrators should disable unnecessary command-line parameters or implement strict input length limits for all user-supplied arguments. Additional protective measures include implementing address space layout randomization and stack canaries to complicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a technique commonly catalogued under ATT&CK tactic TA0004 (Privilege Escalation) and technique T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation). Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of potentially vulnerable binaries and establish monitoring for unusual command-line argument patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.