CVE-2018-18944 in Artha ~ The Open Thesaurus
Summary
by MITRE
Artha ~ The Open Thesaurus 1.0.3.0 has a Buffer Overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18944 affects Artha version 1.0.3.0, an open-source thesaurus application designed to provide word definitions and synonyms. This buffer overflow vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that could potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw exists within the application's handling of user-provided input, specifically when processing certain data structures that exceed allocated memory boundaries. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited through carefully crafted input that causes the program to write beyond its allocated memory space, potentially leading to system compromise or denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the Artha application's codebase. When the software processes user-supplied data or external dictionary files, it fails to properly check the length of input before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic programming error allows malicious actors to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow or injecting malicious code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a fundamental weakness in the application's defensive programming practices. Attackers could exploit this by crafting specially formatted thesaurus entries or dictionary files that trigger the overflow when processed by the application.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-18944 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it creates opportunities for remote code execution and system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to systems running affected versions of Artha, potentially leading to data theft, privilege escalation, or use of the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Artha is designed as a desktop application that may process external data files, making it susceptible to supply chain attacks or social engineering tactics where users unknowingly open maliciously crafted thesaurus files. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script injection, as the buffer overflow could enable attackers to inject malicious commands into the application's execution environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the maintainers of Artha. Users should upgrade to versions that address the buffer overflow by implementing proper input validation and memory boundary checks. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting controls to restrict execution of untrusted thesaurus files and employ sandboxing techniques to isolate the application's execution environment. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems should monitor for patterns indicative of exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application's codebase. Organizations should also establish procedures for verifying software integrity and maintaining updated threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.