CVE-2002-2366 in Trillian
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the XML parser of Trillian 0.6351, 0.725 and 0.73 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a skin with a long colors file name in trillian.xml.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2366 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the XML parser component of Trillian instant messaging software versions 0.6351, 0.725, and 0.73. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of skin configuration files within the trillian.xml structure, where the application fails to properly validate the length of color file names during XML parsing operations. The buffer overflow occurs when the application processes a maliciously crafted skin file containing an excessively long color file name that exceeds the allocated buffer space in memory. This flaw falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, which is classified as a classic stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the XML parsing mechanism by accepting unvalidated input from the skin configuration file, particularly focusing on the color file name attribute within the trillian.xml structure. When Trillian processes a skin file with an abnormally long color file name, the parser attempts to store this data in a fixed-size buffer without proper bounds checking. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the program's execution flow and leading to either a controlled crash or more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code through crafted input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution in the context of the affected application. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting a malicious skin file with an excessively long color file name and distributing it through legitimate channels or by compromising a system that uses Trillian. Upon loading such a skin file, the application crashes or may execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running Trillian. This presents significant security implications for users who may unknowingly download or receive malicious skin files from untrusted sources, particularly in enterprise environments where instant messaging applications are commonly used for communication.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2366 should focus on immediate software updates to patched versions of Trillian that address the buffer overflow vulnerability in the XML parser. Organizations should implement strict input validation policies for all skin and configuration files, particularly those that can be loaded from external sources. Network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting controls to prevent unauthorized skin files from being loaded, and users should be educated about the risks of downloading skins from untrusted sources. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper bounds checking in XML parsers and demonstrates why input validation is crucial in preventing buffer overflow attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit this specific vulnerability through malformed XML data. Regular security assessments of instant messaging applications and their configuration file handling capabilities are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future software releases.