CVE-2003-1397 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
The PluginContext object of Opera 6.05 and 7.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via an HTTP request containing a long string that gets passed to the ShowDocument method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1397 represents a classic buffer overflow condition within the Opera web browser's PluginContext object implementation. This flaw exists in versions 6.05 and 7.0 of the Opera browser, where the ShowDocument method fails to properly validate input length before processing HTTP requests containing excessively long strings. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking in the browser's plugin handling mechanism, specifically when processing embedded content or plugin-related requests that utilize the PluginContext object. When a malicious HTTP request contains a string exceeding the allocated buffer space, the application crashes due to memory corruption during the string processing operation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear path to denial of service conditions through remote code execution. Attackers can craft HTTP requests with intentionally long strings that, when processed by the ShowDocument method, trigger memory overflow conditions within the PluginContext object. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's plugin architecture, which is designed to handle external content through the PluginContext mechanism, making it a critical point of failure in the browser's security model.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for users who may encounter malicious web content without proper protection measures. The denial of service condition effectively renders the browser unusable until manual restart occurs, disrupting user productivity and potentially providing attackers with opportunities for further exploitation. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over standard HTTP protocols, making it easily accessible to attackers who can craft malicious web pages or manipulate web content to trigger the vulnerability. This type of vulnerability contributes to the broader category of web-based attacks that target browser implementations, often serving as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The flaw affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where browser stability is critical for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate browser updates and implementation of network-level protections. Users should upgrade to newer versions of Opera that contain fixed implementations of the PluginContext object and ShowDocument method. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing robust input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within browser plugin architectures. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls or content filtering solutions that can detect and block HTTP requests containing suspiciously long strings. Additionally, browser hardening techniques including sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms can help contain the impact of such vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for proper software quality assurance practices and adherence to secure coding guidelines, particularly in the development of browser components that handle external content processing. The incident underscores the necessity of regular security updates and the importance of maintaining current browser versions to protect against known vulnerabilities.