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
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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright (c) 2004 iDEFENSE, Inc.

Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express written consent of iDEFENSE. If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please email customerservice@idefense.com for permission.

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.