CVE-2003-1020 in Mandrake Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The format_send_to_gui function in formats.c for irssi before 0.8.9 allows remote IRC users to cause a denial of service (crash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1020 resides within the irssi IRC client software, specifically within the format_send_to_gui function located in the formats.c source file. This flaw affects irssi versions prior to 0.8.9 and represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to trigger a denial of service scenario. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the IRC client's formatting routines, which are responsible for processing and displaying messages received from remote IRC servers. When maliciously crafted messages are sent to an irssi client, the format_send_to_gui function fails to properly handle the input data, leading to memory corruption that ultimately results in application crash.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves remote IRC users sending specially crafted messages that exploit the buffer overflow condition in the formatting subsystem. The flaw occurs during the processing of IRC protocol messages where the application does not properly validate the length or content of incoming formatted data before attempting to display it in the graphical user interface. This allows attackers to send malformed data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing stack corruption and subsequent application termination. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered without authentication, making it a significant concern for IRC servers and clients that are publicly accessible. The issue aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a common pattern of memory safety vulnerabilities in C-based applications that handle untrusted input data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the availability of IRC communications within affected networks. When exploited, the denial of service attack can cause irssi clients to crash repeatedly, forcing users to restart their applications and potentially disrupting ongoing conversations or network monitoring activities. The vulnerability affects both individual users and network administrators who rely on irssi for real-time communication and monitoring. In environments where irssi is used for critical infrastructure monitoring or automated alerting systems, this vulnerability could lead to significant operational disruptions and potential security implications. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or special privileges, making it accessible to anyone with network access to the affected IRC server.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1020 primarily involve upgrading to irssi version 0.8.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement network-level controls to filter or monitor suspicious IRC traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include configuring irssi with proper input validation settings, implementing rate limiting for incoming messages, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous IRC protocol behavior. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of irssi clients to untrusted networks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in network applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks and highlighting the need for robust software security practices in client-server applications. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be implemented to prevent similar issues from arising in other network communication tools and protocols.