CVE-2017-7938 in DMitry
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in DMitry (Deepmagic Information Gathering Tool) version 1.3a (Unix) allows attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a long argument. An example threat model is automated execution of DMitry with hostname strings found in local log files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7938 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within DMitry version 1.3a, a Unix-based information gathering tool designed for network reconnaissance activities. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's argument processing functionality, where the software fails to properly sanitize or limit the length of user-provided parameters. The flaw specifically manifests when the tool processes command-line arguments that exceed predetermined buffer boundaries, creating conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory layout through malformed input sequences. The affected software architecture demonstrates poor defensive programming practices that violate fundamental security principles governing memory management and input sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through stack memory corruption mechanisms that align with CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions as a primary class of memory safety issues. When DMitry receives an argument exceeding the allocated stack buffer capacity, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the stack frame's return address or other critical program state information. This overflow condition creates multiple potential attack vectors including application crash scenarios that result in denial of service, as well as possibilities for more sophisticated exploitation techniques that could lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal attacker sophistication since it can be triggered through simple command-line argument manipulation without requiring complex payload construction.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7938 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader security implications within network reconnaissance environments where DMitry is commonly deployed. Automated execution scenarios present particularly concerning threat models where security tools or monitoring systems might inadvertently trigger the vulnerability by processing hostname strings extracted from local log files, creating cascading failure conditions that could compromise entire security operations. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that under certain conditions, attackers might be able to leverage the buffer overflow to achieve privilege escalation or information disclosure, though the exact scope of these possibilities requires further analysis. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where DMitry is used as part of automated security workflows or integrated into larger reconnaissance frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass immediate patching of DMitry to version 1.3b or later, which includes proper input length validation and buffer boundary checking mechanisms. System administrators should implement defensive programming practices such as input sanitization, argument length limiting, and stack protection measures like stack canaries or address space layout randomization. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding guidelines and implementing proper memory management practices as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and MITRE ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive audit trails of DMitry usage patterns to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.