CVE-2008-4762

Stack-based buffer overflow in freeSSHd 1.2.1 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (service crash) and potentially execute arbitrary…

published October 28, 2008

CVSS
—
EPSS
14%
Percentile
96.6
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A sneaky stack-based buffer overflow lurks in freeSSHd 1.2.1! An authenticated user can cause a service crash simply by sending a long argument to the rename or realpath parameters. 🔥 Think of it like a restaurant that accepts orders without checking their length. If a customer orders an absurdly large pizza, it could overwhelm the kitchen, causing a chaotic shutdown. That's basically what happens here! An attacker could send a specially crafted long argument, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS) where the service crashes. In the worst-case scenario, this could also open the door to executing arbitrary code, granting unwanted control. Not ideal, right?

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant that accepts orders without checking their length. If a customer orders an absurdly large pizza, it could overwhelm the kitchen, causing a chaotic shutdown. That's basically what happens here! This buffer overflow occurs when freeSSHd mishandles input lengths for the rename and realpath parameters, allowing remote authenticated users to exploit this flaw and disrupt service.

What to do

An attacker could send a specially crafted long argument, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS) where the service crashes. In the worst-case scenario, this could also open the door to executing arbitrary code, granting unwanted control. Not ideal, right? To protect your system, upgrade freeSSHd to a fixed version if available. Also, consider implementing restrictions on the maximum input length for these parameters to prevent abuse. 💡 You've got this! Take these steps, and you'll reinforce your defenses in no time. 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.14497 · 96.6th percentile
Published
2008-10-28T00:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 28 OCT 00:00Z
    Stack-based buffer overflow in freeSSHd 1.2.1 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (service crash) and potentially execute arbitrary…
    cvelistv5