CVE-2018-19459 in Adult Filter
Summary
by MITRE
Adult Filter 1.0 has a Buffer Overflow via a crafted Black Domain List file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19459 affects Adult Filter version 1.0 and represents a critical buffer overflow flaw that can be exploited through manipulation of the Black Domain List file. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The affected software component processes user-supplied domain lists without adequate input validation, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the Adult Filter application parses a specially crafted Black Domain List file that contains excessive data beyond the allocated buffer space. This parsing operation fails to properly validate the length of domain entries or enforce strict bounds checking, allowing an attacker to supply malicious input that exceeds the predetermined buffer limits. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level where user input is processed without sufficient sanitization measures, making it susceptible to exploitation through social engineering or automated attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to systems running the affected Adult Filter version, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive data, or denial of service conditions. The attack surface is relatively narrow since it requires the specific manipulation of the Black Domain List file, but the potential impact remains severe given that the flaw allows for arbitrary code execution. Organizations utilizing this filtering software may face unauthorized access to network resources, data exfiltration, or disruption of filtering services that protect against inappropriate content.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2018-19459 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected software to address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures for all user-supplied content, particularly for configuration files that are processed by the application. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable system to untrusted inputs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file upload activities and maintain regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other applications.