CVE-2003-0165 in EOG
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in Eye Of Gnome (EOG) allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a command line argument for the file to display.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The CVE-2003-0165 vulnerability represents a critical format string flaw in Eye Of Gnome version 1.4.1 and earlier, which is a widely used image viewer application in the GNOME desktop environment. This vulnerability specifically affects the command line argument handling mechanism within EOG, creating a pathway for remote code execution through maliciously crafted input. The flaw exists in how the application processes user-supplied arguments without proper validation or sanitization, making it susceptible to exploitation by attackers who can manipulate the format string parsing behavior. The vulnerability impacts systems running GNOME desktop environments where EOG is the default image viewer, particularly affecting Linux distributions that rely on this component for multimedia handling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of format string specifiers within the application's argument parsing code. When EOG processes command line arguments containing format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x, it fails to properly validate or escape these sequences before passing them to functions like printf or sprintf. This creates a classic format string vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code. The flaw specifically manifests when the application receives a malformed filename argument that contains format string directives, which are then interpreted by the application's internal string formatting routines. According to CWE-134, this vulnerability maps directly to the weakness of using user-controlled data as a format string without proper validation, which is a well-documented pattern in software security vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0165 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and privilege escalation scenarios. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems where EOG is executed with elevated privileges, particularly in environments where users might be tricked into opening maliciously crafted image files through social engineering or automated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in networked environments where attackers can remotely trigger the vulnerable code path through various attack vectors such as web-based file sharing or malicious email attachments. The threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution through command line manipulation, and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation when the vulnerable application runs with higher privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0165 require immediate patching of affected EOG versions, with the release of version 1.4.2 and subsequent updates addressing the format string handling issues. System administrators should implement strict input validation for all command line arguments processed by EOG and related applications, ensuring that format string specifiers are properly escaped or rejected during argument parsing. The recommended approach includes applying security patches from trusted sources such as the GNOME project or respective Linux distribution maintainers, while also implementing application sandboxing techniques to limit potential damage from successful exploits. Additionally, users should be educated about avoiding untrusted file attachments and implementing proper file validation practices, particularly when dealing with image files from unknown sources. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based security controls such as intrusion detection systems that can detect and block exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.