CVE-2018-7796 in PowerSuite 2
Summary
by MITRE
A Buffer Error vulnerability exists in PowerSuite 2, all released versions (VW3A8104 & Patches), which could cause an overflow in the memcpy function, leading to corruption of data and program instability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7796 represents a critical buffer error in PowerSuite 2 software across all released versions including VW3A8104 and associated patches. This flaw manifests within the memcpy function implementation, creating conditions where insufficient buffer size validation allows for memory overflow scenarios. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and memory management practices within the software's core operations. The affected system components operate under the assumption that input data will conform to expected parameters, failing to account for potentially malicious or malformed inputs that could exceed allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when the memcpy function processes data without proper bounds checking, enabling attackers to write beyond the intended memory allocation. This buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution, data corruption, and system instability. The flaw operates at the intersection of CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read scenarios. When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise through memory corruption that affects program execution flow and data integrity. The attack surface expands when considering that memcpy operations are fundamental to data handling processes, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through various input vectors within the software's functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7796 extends beyond immediate system instability to encompass potential data breaches and service disruption. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can manipulate program execution paths, potentially gaining elevated privileges or executing malicious code within the target environment. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions including patches indicates a fundamental design flaw rather than a simple oversight, suggesting that organizations using PowerSuite 2 face ongoing risk regardless of update status. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploited memory corruption can provide attackers with execution capabilities that bypass traditional security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation controls and buffer size enforcement mechanisms throughout the PowerSuite 2 codebase. Organizations should deploy memory safety features including stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention measures to reduce exploitability. The recommended remediation includes updating to patched versions of PowerSuite 2, implementing strict bounds checking in all memcpy operations, and conducting comprehensive code reviews focusing on memory management practices. Security teams must also establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, while considering the broader context of software supply chain security. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs, as the vulnerability's impact on system stability could provide attackers with persistent access to affected systems.