CVE-1999-1531 in HomePagePrint
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in IBM HomePagePrint 1.0.7 for Windows98J allows a malicious Web site to execute arbitrary code on a viewer's system via a long IMG_SRC HTML tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-1999-1531 represents a classic buffer overflow flaw that existed in IBM HomePagePrint 1.0.7 for Windows98J systems. This security weakness resides in the handling of HTML content, specifically within the processing of IMG_SRC attributes in web pages. The flaw allows remote attackers to craft malicious web content that can trigger unauthorized code execution on victim systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates through a common web browsing mechanism, making it accessible through standard internet traffic without requiring any special privileges or physical access to the target system.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the IBM HomePagePrint application processes HTML content containing an excessively long IMG_SRC attribute within an image tag. The application fails to properly validate the length of the source URL parameter, leading to memory corruption when the buffer allocated for storing the URL exceeds its intended capacity. This memory corruption can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the application. The vulnerability operates under CWE-121, which classifies buffer overflow conditions where insufficient space is allocated for data, and specifically aligns with CWE-125, which deals with out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it enables attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. Once successfully exploited, malicious actors can install malware, steal sensitive information, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors for future access. The Windows98J operating system environment presents additional risks since this platform was widely deployed in enterprise settings during the late 1990s, making numerous systems potentially vulnerable to this attack vector. The attack surface is broad as any web page containing the malicious HTML tag could trigger the exploit, making it particularly dangerous for users who browse untrusted websites or receive malicious emails with embedded web content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-1999-1531 should focus on immediate patch deployment from IBM, which would address the underlying buffer overflow in the HomePagePrint application. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious HTML content before it reaches user systems. Browser-based security measures including strict content validation and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional defense layers. From a broader security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in application development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential lateral movement of attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability, as well as establishing robust incident response procedures to address potential compromise of affected systems.