CVE-2018-5359 in SysGauge
Summary
by MITRE
The server in Flexense SysGauge 3.6.18 operating on port 9221 can be exploited remotely with the attacker gaining system-level access because of a Buffer Overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5359 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Flexense SysGauge 3.6.18 server component that operates on TCP port 9221. This issue arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the server application's handling of incoming data streams, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with system-level privileges. The buffer overflow vulnerability specifically manifests when the server processes malformed or excessively large data payloads sent through the network interface, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack vector requires network connectivity to port 9221 and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for systems deployed in untrusted network environments. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow enables attackers to overwrite critical program execution structures including return addresses, function pointers, and stack canaries, ultimately allowing for code injection and execution with elevated privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations utilizing Flexense SysGauge 3.6.18 for system monitoring and performance analysis. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can compromise systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence. This vulnerability can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as successful exploitation typically involves executing malicious code through command shell injection. The compromised system can then be used as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure, potentially leading to data exfiltration, lateral movement, and persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5359 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates or upgrading to newer versions of Flexense SysGauge that address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to port 9221, limiting exposure to only trusted internal networks. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known exploit patterns targeting this specific vulnerability can provide early warning capabilities. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems running vulnerable versions of the software and ensure proper network monitoring is in place to detect anomalous traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in network services, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001 frameworks for secure system development and deployment.