CAPEC Definitions / CAPEC-9
CAPEC-9: Buffer Overflow in Local Command-Line Utilities
This attack targets command-line utilities available in a number of shells. An adversary can leverage a vulnerability found in a command-line utility to escalate privilege to root.
Extended Description
No Extended Description.
Mitigations
Carefully review the service's implementation before making it available to user. For instance you can use manual or automated code review to uncover vulnerabilities such as buffer overflow.
Use a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
Compiler-based canary mechanisms such as StackGuard, ProPolice and the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag. Unless this provides automatic bounds checking, it is not a complete solution.
Operational: Use OS-level preventative functionality. Not a complete solution.
Apply the latest patches to your user exposed services. This may not be a complete solution, especially against a zero day attack.
Do not unnecessarily expose services.
Relationships with other CAPECs
CAPEC-100: Overflow Buffers
Prerequisites
The target host exposes a command-line utility to the user.
The command-line utility exposed by the target host has a buffer overflow vulnerability that can be exploited.
Related Weaknesses
CWE-120: Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
CWE-118: Incorrect Access of Indexable Resource ('Range Error')
CWE-119: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
CWE-680: Integer Overflow to Buffer Overflow
CWE-733: Compiler Optimization Removal or Modification of Security-critical Code
CWE-697: Incorrect Comparison
