iDefense Security Advisory 05.07.08
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/
May 07, 2008

I. BACKGROUND

rdesktop is an open source client that speaks the Remote Desktop
Protocol (RDP). This allows Unix-based users to login to Windows
Terminal Servers. More information is available at the following URL.

http://www.rdesktop.org/

II. DESCRIPTION

Remote exploitation of a BSS overflow vulnerability in rdesktop, as
included in various vendors' operating system distributions, allows
attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the
logged-in user.

The vulnerability exists within the code responsible for reading in an
RDP redirect request. This request is used to redirect an RDP
connection from one server to another. When parsing the redirect
request, the rdesktop client reads several 32-bit integers from the
request packet. These integers are then used to control the number of
bytes read into statically allocated buffers. This results in several
buffers located in the BSS section being overflowed, which can lead to
the execution of arbitrary code.

III. ANALYSIS

Exploitation of this vulnerability results in the execution of arbitrary
code with the privileges of the logged in user. In order to exploit this
vulnerability, an attacker must persuade a targeted user to connect to a
malicious RDP server.

IV. DETECTION

iDefense confirmed the existence of this vulnerability in rdesktop
version 1.5.0. Previous versions may also be affected.

V. WORKAROUND

iDefense is currently unaware of any effective workaround for this
issue.

VI. VENDOR RESPONSE

The rdesktop maintainer has addressed this vulnerability with CVS
revision 1.102 of rdp.c. For more information, visit the following URL.

http://rdesktop.cvs.sourceforge.net/rdesktop/rdesktop/rdp.c?annotate=1.102&pathrev=HEAD#l1337

VII. CVE INFORMATION

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the
name CVE-2008-1802 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

11/12/2007  Initial vendor notification
11/19/2007  Initial vendor response
05/07/2008  Public disclosure

IX. CREDIT

The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous.

Get paid for vulnerability research
http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php

Free tools, research and upcoming events
http://labs.idefense.com/

X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2008 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 e-mail 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.