CVE-2020-7837
📋 TL;DR
This is a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Infraware ML Report Program's MLReportDeamon.exe. Attackers can exploit it by sending specially crafted web requests to trigger vsprintf without proper length validation, potentially allowing remote code execution. It affects ML Report version 2.19.312.0000.
💻 Affected Systems
- Infraware ML Report
📦 What is this software?
Polaris Ml Report by Polarisoffice
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with SYSTEM/administrator privileges leading to complete system compromise, data theft, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Remote code execution with the privileges of the ML Report service account, enabling malware installation, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms.
If Mitigated
Denial of service through application crash if exploit fails or is detected by security controls.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability involves a straightforward buffer overflow via vsprintf without length checks, making exploitation relatively simple for attackers with basic reverse engineering skills.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check vendor advisory for patched version
Vendor Advisory: https://www.boho.or.kr/krcert/secNoticeView.do?bulletin_writing_sequence=35849
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check the vendor advisory for the patched version. 2. Download and install the updated version from Infraware. 3. Restart the ML Report service and any dependent services. 4. Verify the patch is applied correctly.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
windowsRestrict network access to ML Report service to only trusted hosts/IPs
Use Windows Firewall: netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Block MLReport" dir=in action=block program="C:\Path\To\MLReportDeamon.exe" enable=yes
Service Account Hardening
windowsRun ML Report service with minimal privileges to limit impact of successful exploitation
sc config "MLReportService" obj= ".\LowPrivUser" password= "password"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable or uninstall ML Report if not essential for business operations
- Implement strict network access controls and monitor all traffic to/from ML Report service
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check ML Report version in Help > About or examine file properties of MLReportDeamon.exe for version 2.19.312.0000Check Version:
wmic datafile where name="C:\\Program Files\\Infraware\\ML Report\\MLReportDeamon.exe" get versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version is newer than 2.19.312.0000 and test that crafted web requests no longer cause buffer overflow📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crash logs from MLReportDeamon.exe
- Unusual process creation from ML Report service account
- Large or malformed HTTP requests to ML Report web interface
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from ML Report service
- Exploit kit traffic patterns
- HTTP requests with unusually long parameters or crafted payloads
SIEM Query:
source="MLReport.log" AND ("access violation" OR "buffer overflow" OR "exception") OR process_name="MLReportDeamon.exe" AND parent_process!="services.exe"