Ipswitch WhatsUp Gold Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

iDEFENSE Security Advisory 08.25.04
http://www.idefense.com/application/poi/display?type=vulnerabilities
August 25, 2004

I. BACKGROUND

Ipswitch WhatsUp Gold is a Microsoft Windows based network monitoring
application. More information is available at:

    http://www.Ipswitch.com/products/whatsup/index.html

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a buffer overflow vulnerability in Ipswitch
Inc.'s WhatsUp Gold allows attackers to execute arbitrary code under the
privileges of the user that instantiated the application.

The problem specifically exists in the _maincfgret.cgi script accessible
through the web server installed by WhatsUp Gold. By posting a long
string for the value of 'instancename', a buffer overflow occurs
allowing an attacker to redirect the flow of control and eventually
execute arbitrary code.

III. ANALYSIS

Successful exploitation allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary
code under the privileges of the user that instantiated the application.
The WhatsUp Gold web server is not enabled by default.

IV. DETECTION

iDEFENSE has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability against
WhatsUp Gold version 8.03. iDEFENSE has confirmed that the latest
version of WhatsUp Gold, version 8.03 Hotfix 1, is not vulnerable.

V. WORKAROUND

Disable the WhatsUp Gold web server if it is not required.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

The buffer overflow is repaired in WhatsUp Gold, version 8.03 Hotfix 1.

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CAN-2004-0798 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in
the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org),
which standardizes names for
security problems.

VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE

08/12/2004   Initial vendor notification
08/12/2004   iDEFENSE clients notified
08/12/2004   Initial vendor response
08/25/2004   Public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

The discoverer wishes to remain anonymous.

Get paid for vulnerability research
http://www.idefense.com/poi/teams/vcp.jsp

X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright (c) 2004 iDEFENSE, Inc.

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Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate
at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use
of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition.
There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the
author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect,
or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on,
this information.