CVE-2019-25566 in TransMac
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2026
TransMac 12.3 contains a buffer overflow vulnerability in the volume name field that allows local attackers to crash the application by supplying an excessively long string. Attackers can create a malicious file with 1000 repeated characters, paste the content into the volume name field during disk image creation, and trigger an application crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-25566 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within TransMac version 12.3 that fundamentally compromises application stability and security. This issue resides in the volume name field processing mechanism where the software fails to properly validate input length before attempting to store user-supplied data. The flaw manifests when attackers supply an excessively long string of repeated characters, specifically 1000 repeated characters, which triggers an uncontrolled buffer overflow condition. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to application instability and potential exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local privilege level, meaning attackers must already have access to the system to exploit it, but the impact remains significant as it can disrupt normal operations and potentially serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs during the disk image creation process when the application attempts to process user input in the volume name field. When a malicious string of 1000 repeated characters is pasted into this field, the application's memory management fails to handle the excessive input size properly. The buffer overflow condition causes the application to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, leading to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, memory corruption, and potential system instability. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers "Utilities: System Shutdown/Reboot" through the use of application crashes as a method of disrupting system availability. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient bounds checking in input handling can lead to denial of service conditions that can be reliably triggered by any local user with access to the application interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially disrupt legitimate system operations and user workflows. When TransMac crashes due to this buffer overflow, users lose access to disk image creation functionality which can halt important data management tasks. The vulnerability's local nature means that it can be exploited by any user with access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where privilege escalation might be possible through other vectors. Organizations using TransMac for disk management, data recovery, or system administration tasks face significant operational risks as this vulnerability can be leveraged to cause service disruption. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and highlights the importance of implementing robust input validation and memory safety mechanisms. From a security perspective, this issue represents a denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited without requiring special privileges or complex attack chains, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt system availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-25566 should focus on immediate software updates and input validation improvements. The most effective solution involves applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to a version that addresses this specific buffer overflow condition. Until such updates are available, administrators should implement strict input length restrictions and validation measures within their local environments. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that limit execution of vulnerable software in critical environments. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and input validation reviews in software development processes. Organizations should conduct vulnerability scans to identify other potentially affected applications and implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual application crash patterns. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of entering excessively long strings into application fields can help reduce exploitation success rates. The remediation approach should align with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks, emphasizing the need for proper input validation, memory management, and application security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts.