CVE-2018-25313: SysGauge Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2018-25313 Overview

CVE-2018-25313 is a buffer overflow vulnerability affecting SysGauge version 4.5.18. The vulnerability exists within the proxy configuration handler, allowing local attackers to cause a denial of service condition by supplying an oversized string input. Specifically, attackers can inject a large payload through the Proxy Server Host Name field in the Options menu, resulting in an application crash.

Critical Impact

Local attackers can exploit improper input validation in the proxy configuration to crash the SysGauge application, causing service disruption.

Affected Products

• SysGauge version 4.5.18

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-29 - CVE-2018-25313 published to NVD
• 2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2018-25313

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-120 (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input), commonly known as a classic buffer overflow. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate the length of user-supplied input in the proxy configuration settings before copying it into a fixed-size memory buffer.

When a user enters an excessively long string into the Proxy Server Host Name field within the application's Options menu, the application attempts to store this data in a buffer that is insufficient to hold it. This results in memory corruption as adjacent memory regions are overwritten, leading to application instability and ultimately a crash.

The local attack vector requires an attacker to have access to the system where SysGauge is installed. While the vulnerability does not directly enable code execution or data exfiltration, the availability impact is significant as it can render the monitoring application unusable.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2018-25313 is the absence of proper bounds checking on user input within the proxy configuration handler. The application uses unsafe string copy operations that do not verify the input length against the destination buffer size. When processing the Proxy Server Host Name field, the application allocates a fixed-size buffer but does not enforce length restrictions on the input, allowing attackers to overflow the buffer with oversized data.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access to the system running SysGauge 4.5.18. An attacker navigates to the Options menu within the application and locates the Proxy Server Host Name configuration field. By entering an excessively long string (oversized payload) into this field, the attacker triggers the buffer overflow condition. The vulnerability does not require authentication or elevated privileges, as any user with access to the application's interface can trigger the crash.

The attack flow involves:

1. Opening SysGauge application locally
2. Navigating to Options menu
3. Locating the Proxy Server Host Name configuration field
4. Entering an oversized string payload
5. Application crashes due to buffer overflow

Technical details and proof-of-concept information are available through the Exploit-DB #44372 and VulnCheck Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2018-25313

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or terminations of the SysGauge application
• Event log entries showing application faults or access violations in SysGauge processes
• Unusually long strings present in proxy configuration files or registry entries
• Multiple rapid application restarts indicating repeated exploitation attempts

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Windows Event Logs for application crash events (Event ID 1000) associated with SysGauge
• Implement application whitelisting to detect unauthorized modifications to SysGauge configuration
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions that can identify buffer overflow exploitation patterns
• Review application logs for unusual configuration changes or malformed input attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure alerts for repeated SysGauge application crashes on monitored endpoints
• Implement file integrity monitoring on SysGauge configuration files
• Enable detailed logging for application configuration changes
• Use endpoint protection platforms to monitor for memory corruption indicators

How to Mitigate CVE-2018-25313

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade SysGauge to a version newer than 4.5.18 that addresses this vulnerability
• Restrict local access to systems running vulnerable SysGauge installations
• Implement application-level access controls to limit who can modify proxy settings
• Consider temporarily disabling proxy configuration functionality if not required

Patch Information

Users should upgrade to a patched version of SysGauge that addresses the buffer overflow vulnerability. Consult the vendor for the latest secure version. Additional technical details are available through the VulnCheck Advisory.

Workarounds

• Restrict physical and remote access to systems running the vulnerable SysGauge version
• Implement Windows Group Policy to limit application configuration access to trusted administrators only
• Use application control solutions to prevent unauthorized users from launching or modifying SysGauge
• Monitor and alert on any configuration changes to the SysGauge application
• Consider running the application in a sandboxed environment to limit crash impact

# Example: Restrict application access using Windows permissions
# Limit SysGauge executable access to administrators only
icacls "C:\Program Files\SysGauge\SysGauge.exe" /inheritance:r /grant Administrators:F