CVE-2002-1223 in DSC
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in DSC 3.0 parser from GSview, as used in KGhostView in KDE 1.1 and KDE 3.0.3a, may allow attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via a modified .ps (PostScript) input file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1223 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the DSC 3.0 parser component of GSview software, which is integrated into KDE 1.1 and KDE 3.0.3a environments through the KGhostView application. This flaw resides in the handling of PostScript files and specifically affects the parsing of Document Structuring Conventions version 3.0 directives. The buffer overflow occurs when the application processes malformed PostScript input files that contain specially crafted DSC 3.0 directives, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness pattern in software security that occurs when more data is written to a buffer than it can hold, causing adjacent memory to be overwritten.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious PostScript file with oversized or malformed DSC 3.0 directives that exceed the allocated buffer space in the GSview parser. When KGhostView processes this crafted input file, the parser fails to properly validate the length of incoming data, allowing the buffer overflow to occur. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as the memory corruption can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. This represents a serious security risk given that PostScript files are commonly used for document rendering and can be encountered in various legitimate contexts. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be triggered through user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted PostScript content.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1223 is significant for organizations using affected KDE versions, as it creates a potential attack vector that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems where KGhostView is installed and enabled, particularly those running KDE 1.1 or KDE 3.0.3a environments, which were prevalent during the early 2000s. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by delivering malicious PostScript files through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing mechanisms. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability could be used to disrupt legitimate document processing workflows, while the code execution capability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, demonstrating how such memory corruption vulnerabilities can be leveraged for broader attack objectives.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1223 primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to patched versions of GSview and KDE that address the buffer overflow in the DSC 3.0 parser, which would typically include input validation improvements and proper buffer size management. System administrators should also implement strict file validation policies that prevent processing of untrusted PostScript files, particularly those with unusual or oversized DSC directives. Additional mitigations include disabling KGhostView functionality when not required, implementing sandboxing techniques for document processing, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious PostScript file patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper memory management in application security, reinforcing the need for security-conscious development practices and regular security assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training for users to recognize potentially malicious file attachments and avoid executing untrusted PostScript content.