CVE-2002-1665 in Yahoo!
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Yahoo! Messenger before February 2002 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long set_buddygrp field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1665 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw discovered in Yahoo! Messenger versions prior to February 2002. This security weakness resides in the client application's handling of the set_buddygrp field, which is used to manage contact groups within the messaging system. The flaw manifests when the application receives a malformed message containing an excessively long set_buddygrp field, causing the software to overwrite adjacent memory regions beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. Such buffer overflow conditions create opportunities for remote attackers to manipulate the application's execution flow and potentially gain unauthorized control over the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic stack-based buffer overflow scenario where insufficient input validation allows attackers to exceed the predetermined buffer limits. When Yahoo! Messenger processes a message with an overly long buddy group name, the application fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into a fixed-size memory buffer. This lack of proper input sanitization enables attackers to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, and other control data structures. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through manipulation of application memory structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems. Attackers can craft specially formatted messages that, when processed by the vulnerable Yahoo Messenger versions prior to the February 2002 security update, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users have not applied the necessary patches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application to the affected Yahoo! Messenger versions, with the February 2002 update specifically addressing the buffer overflow condition in the set_buddygrp field handling. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect and block malicious messages containing oversized buddy group fields, while also considering network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in client applications, particularly those handling external data from untrusted sources. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of vulnerable applications until proper security patches are deployed across all endpoints. This case demonstrates the critical need for regular security updates and the potential consequences of delayed patch management in client-side applications that process network data.