CVE-2018-18756 in Local Server
Summary
by MITRE
Local Server 1.0.9 has a Buffer Overflow via crafted data on Port 4008.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18756 affects Local Server version 1.0.9 and represents a critical buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through crafted data sent to port 4008. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The affected software operates as a local server implementation that listens on TCP port 4008 for incoming connections and processes data received through this channel.
The technical flaw manifests when the server receives malformed input data that exceeds the allocated buffer size during data processing operations. This occurs because the application fails to properly validate or limit the size of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. When an attacker sends carefully constructed payloads exceeding the buffer capacity, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting program execution flow, altering variable values, or even allowing arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the local server level, meaning that exploitation can occur without requiring network exposure if the service is running locally on a system.
The operational impact of this buffer overflow vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it can provide attackers with elevated privileges or complete system compromise. Since the server operates locally, successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation, data theft, or persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects systems where Local Server 1.0.9 is installed and actively listening on port 4008, making it particularly concerning for development environments, testing systems, or any scenario where local server processes are running with elevated privileges. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the same privileges as the Local Server process, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18756 should focus on immediate patching of the Local Server software to version 1.0.10 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to port 4008, particularly in production environments where the service is not required. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation and sanitization at the application level, configuring intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns on port 4008, and conducting regular security assessments to identify other potential buffer overflow vulnerabilities in similar software components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1055 for exploitation of vulnerabilities, with potential techniques including process injection and privilege escalation once initial access is achieved through the buffer overflow condition.