CVE-2003-0444 in GTKSee
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in GTKSee 0.5 and 0.5.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a PNG image of certain color depths.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0444 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within GTKSee version 0.5 and 0.5.1 applications. This security weakness specifically manifests when the software processes Portable Network Graphics image files with particular color depth configurations. The flaw exists in the image parsing functionality where insufficient bounds checking occurs during memory allocation for image data handling. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checks allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically plagued image processing libraries and multimedia applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a remote attacker to craft a malicious PNG image file with specific color depth characteristics that trigger the buffer overflow condition. When GTKSee attempts to parse such an image, the application allocates memory on the heap to store image data without proper validation of the incoming data size relative to allocated buffer space. This insufficient input validation creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent heap memory, potentially corrupting program execution flow. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates over remote networks, allowing adversaries to deliver malicious payloads through web-based image delivery mechanisms without requiring local system access. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK framework's T1203 technique for exploitation of remote services, where attackers leverage software flaws to execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that attackers can potentially manipulate heap metadata, leading to more sophisticated attacks including return-oriented programming or stack pivot techniques. When an attacker successfully triggers this vulnerability, they gain the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the GTKSee application process, which typically runs with user-level permissions but could potentially be escalated through additional attack vectors. The affected software ecosystem represents a significant risk to users who rely on GTKSee for image viewing, particularly in environments where web browsing or file sharing occurs. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face potential data breaches, system infiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0444 require immediate software updates to patched versions of GTKSee or complete replacement with more secure image viewing applications. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit exposure and employ intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in image processing libraries, emphasizing the need for comprehensive testing including fuzzing techniques to identify similar issues in other software components. Security teams should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of vulnerable applications and ensure that all software components receive regular security updates. The incident underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project, which emphasize proper bounds checking and memory management as fundamental security controls. Organizations should also implement monitoring procedures to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly when dealing with image file processing capabilities in web applications or file sharing systems.