CVE-2003-0328 in IRC Client
Summary
by MITRE
EPIC IRC Client (EPIC4) pre2.002, pre2.003, and possibly later versions, allows remote malicious IRC servers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a CTCP request from a large nickname, which causes an incorrect length calculation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0328 affects the EPIC IRC client version 2.002 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to severe system compromise. This vulnerability specifically targets the client's handling of CTCP (Client to Client Protocol) requests, which are commonly used in IRC networks for various client interactions including version queries, time requests, and file transfers. The issue arises from the client's failure to properly validate the length of nickname data when processing CTCP requests, creating a potential attack vector that can be exploited by malicious IRC servers.
The technical flaw manifests when a remote attacker controls an IRC server that sends a specially crafted CTCP request containing an oversized nickname. The EPIC client's parsing routine incorrectly calculates the length of this nickname data, leading to memory corruption that ultimately results in a crash of the client application. This memory corruption occurs due to buffer overflow conditions where the client attempts to process data that exceeds the allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered by a simple CTCP request without requiring any special authentication or privileged access from the attacker.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as the memory corruption conditions can potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. When the client crashes due to the incorrect length calculation, the memory corruption may provide an attacker with opportunities to inject and execute malicious code, especially if the client is running with elevated privileges or if the system is configured to allow such code execution. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for users who maintain IRC clients in networked environments where they might be exposed to untrusted IRC servers.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1203, which covers legitimate credentials and T1059, which involves command and scripting interpreters, as the successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. The attack surface is broad as any user connecting to an IRC network where a malicious server is present could be affected, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where IRC clients are widely used for communication.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected EPIC client versions, as well as implementing network-level controls to prevent connections to untrusted IRC servers. Users should also consider disabling CTCP request processing or implementing strict input validation for nickname data. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious CTCP requests and consider implementing firewall rules that restrict IRC traffic to trusted servers only. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and memory management in client applications, particularly those that process data from untrusted sources in networked environments.