CVE-2023-52159 in gross
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2024
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in gross 0.9.3 through 1.x before 1.0.4 allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service (grossd daemon crash) or potentially execute arbitrary code in grossd via crafted SMTP transaction parameters that cause an incorrect strncat for a log entry.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52159 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the gross daemon software version 0.9.3 through 1.x before 1.0.4. This issue specifically affects the grossd daemon component that handles SMTP transaction parameters, creating a significant security risk for systems utilizing this mail handling software. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during log entry construction, where the application uses an incorrect strncat function call that leads to memory corruption. The flaw manifests when remote attackers submit maliciously crafted SMTP transaction parameters that cause the daemon to attempt writing beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in unpredictable behavior and potential system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of SMTP transaction parameters that are processed by the grossd daemon. When the daemon receives these crafted inputs, it attempts to construct log entries using the strncat function without proper bounds checking, leading to a stack-based buffer overflow condition. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, where data written to a stack buffer exceeds the buffer's allocated size. The improper use of strncat function in this context creates a scenario where the buffer overflow can be triggered by carefully constructed input parameters, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations and potentially manipulate program execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-52159 presents a dual threat to affected systems, offering both denial of service capabilities and potential remote code execution opportunities. Remote attackers can trigger daemon crashes through malformed SMTP parameters, leading to service disruption and denial of email services for legitimate users. However, the more severe implications arise from the potential for arbitrary code execution, which could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to compromised systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability and integrity of email services, as the daemon crash can be used to disrupt normal operations while the code execution capability could enable full system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a remote code execution technique through software vulnerabilities, specifically targeting daemon processes that handle network services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-52159 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 1.0.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected grossd daemon to untrusted networks. Additional defensive measures include deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious SMTP transaction patterns and implementing input validation controls that filter malformed parameters before they reach the daemon process. Security monitoring should focus on detecting daemon crashes or abnormal behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing network-level restrictions that limit SMTP traffic to trusted sources and employ automated patch management solutions to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in network daemon applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in various industry standards including ISO 27001 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.