HyperTerminal - Buffer Overflow In .ht File

From: Brett Moore (brett.moore_at_SECURITY-ASSESSMENT.COM)
Date: 12/15/04

  • Next message: NGSSoftware Insight Security Research: "Oracle Trigger Abuse (#NISR2122004I)"
    Date:         Wed, 15 Dec 2004 12:00:06 +1300
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    ========================================================================
    = HyperTerminal - Buffer Overflow In .ht File
    =
    = MS Bulletin posted:
    = http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-043.mspx
    =
    = Affected Software:
    = Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP 6a
    = Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition SP6
    = Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4
    = Microsoft Windows XP SP2
    = Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition SP1
    = Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003
    = Microsoft Windows Server 2003
    = Microsoft Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Edition
    =
    = Public disclosure on December 15, 2004
    ========================================================================

    == Overview ==

    When thinking about buffer overflow vulnerabilities, a file can sometimes
    be as harmful as a packet. Even though past security issues have taught
    us that it is unwise to use a string from a file/packet without first
    checking its length, this is what happened here.

    HyperTerminal will save sessions as files with the extension of .ht which
    will contain the connection info for the current session. It is then
    possible to have the connection restarted by loading or executing the
    saved session file.

    Through the creation of a corrupt .ht file, it is possible to gain
    control of EIP and execute arbitrary code.

    == Exploitation ==

    It appears that a section of the heap, that is overwritten with the
    corrupt file, contains a lookup table that is later used through a
    CALL [ECX+374] instruction.

    This allows for exploitation even on systems like XP SP2, as the
    stack/heap protection does not come into play.

    Basic exploitation can be achieved through sending the target user the
    corrupt file. Once the file is opened, and HyperTerminal is closed any
    arbitrary code will be executed.

    Remote exploitation through Internet Explorer can be obtained through the
    use of an iframe or other similar object to open a file from a public
    UNC share or through a 'coupled' browser exploit that saves the file to
    a known location before opening it. If HyperTerminal is the current
    default telnet handler, Internet Explorer will automatically open the
    corrupt file, leading to exploitation.

    There did appear to be some URL manipulation that caused the \ character
    to be altered, preventing the use of the UNC share, but this filtering
    could be prevented by the use of another valid URL character.

    == Solutions ==

    - Install the vendor supplied patch.
    - Remove the HyperTerminal application.

    == Credit ==

    Discovered and advised to Microsoft July 15, 2004 by Brett Moore of
    Security-Assessment.com

    %-) Merry Xmas guys, Ceaser, Ollie, R and the unconventional, Dave,
    %-) K2 and the convers crew, DarkSpyrit and the whole eEye team.

    == About Security-Assessment.com ==

    Security-Assessment.com is a leader in intrusion testing and security
    code review, and leads the world with SA-ISO, online ISO17799 compliance
    management solution. Security-Assessment.com is committed to security
    research and development, and its team have previously identified a
    number of vulnerabilities in public and private software vendors products.

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