MIME-compliant email client attachment buffer overflow
| outlook-long-name (1217) |  High Risk |
Description:
Many popular MIME-compliant email clients are vulnerable to a denial of service attack caused by a buffer overflow in the handling of certain headers. By sending a specially-crafted mail message, an attacker can overflow a buffer and crash another user's client. It may be possible to use this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the victim's computer.
Platforms Affected:
- Microsoft, Windows 95
- Microsoft, Windows 98
- Microsoft, Windows NT 4.0
- Various vendors, Any application
- Various vendors, Unix
Remedy:
Upgrade to the latest version of Sendmail (8.9.1a or later), as listed in CERT Advisory CA-1998-10. See References.
For Microsoft Outlook:
Apply the appropriate patch for your system, as listed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS98-008. See References.
For other distributions:
Contact your vendor for upgrade or patch information.
Consequences:
Gain Access
References:
- AusCERT Advisory AA-98.02, Microsoft Outlook Overrun Vulnerability at ftp://ftp.auscert.org.au/pub/auscert/advisory/AA-98.02.Outlook.buffer.overflow.
- AusCERT Advisory AA-98.04, Sendmail, Inc. Patch for MIME Buffer Overflows at ftp://ftp.auscert.org.au/pub/auscert/advisory/AA-98.04.sendmail.MIME.patches.
- CERT Advisory CA-1998-10, Buffer Overflow in MIME-aware Mail and News Clients at http://www.cert.org/advisories/CA-1998-10.html.
- CIAC Information Bulletin I-077b, Mime Name Vulnerability in Outlook and Messenger at http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/i-077b.shtml.
- Microsoft Security Bulletin MS98-008, Update Available For Long file name Security Issue at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms98-008.mspx.
- Netscape Security Update, August 14, 1998, Long Filename Mail Vulnerability at http://home.netscape.com/security/notes/previous/longfile.html.
- Sendmail 8.9.1a patch, MIME Buffer Overflows at ftp://ftp.sendmail.org/pub/sendmail/past-releases/sendmail.8.9.1a.patch.README.
- Sun Microsystems, Inc. Security Bulletin #00175, mailtool at http://sunsolve.sun.com/pub-cgi/retrieve.pl?doctype=coll&doc=secbull/175&type=0&nav=sec.sba.
- BID-125: Multiple Vendor Buffer Overflow in MIME-aware Mail and News Clients Vulnerability
- BID-685: Berkeley Sendmail MIME Vulnerability
- CVE-1999-0004: MIME buffer overflow in email clients, e.g. Solaris mailtool and Outlook.
- US-CERT VU#5648: Buffer Overflows in various email clients
Reported:
Aug 06, 1998
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