CVE-2003-1478 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Konqueror in KDE 3.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (core dump) via a web page that begins with a "xFFxFE" byte sequence and a large number of CRLF sequences, as demonstrated using freeze.htm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1478 represents a classic denial of service flaw affecting Konqueror web browser version 3.0.3 within the KDE 3.0.3 desktop environment. This issue demonstrates how seemingly benign byte sequences in web content can trigger catastrophic system behavior when processed by vulnerable applications. The attack vector specifically exploits the browser's handling of malformed input sequences that begin with the byte sequence 0xFFFE followed by an excessive number of carriage return line feed combinations. This particular combination of bytes creates a condition where the browser's parsing mechanism becomes overwhelmed, leading to a core dump and subsequent system crash. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the web rendering engine's input validation routines.
The technical implementation of this exploit leverages a known weakness in Konqueror's character encoding and input processing capabilities. When the browser encounters the initial 0xFFFE byte sequence, which represents a Unicode byte order mark, followed by an excessive number of CRLF sequences, the parsing logic fails to properly handle the malformed input. This creates a buffer over-read condition or memory corruption scenario where the application's internal state becomes compromised. The flaw falls under the category of improper input validation, specifically related to character encoding handling and buffer management. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of length of input buffers, and CWE-170, which covers issues related to improper handling of input that could lead to memory corruption. The attack demonstrates how a single malformed byte sequence can cascade into a complete system failure when the application lacks proper bounds checking and input sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire desktop environment. When a user navigates to a malicious webpage containing the crafted 0xFFFE byte sequence followed by excessive CRLF characters, the Konqueror browser process terminates unexpectedly, creating a core dump file that can be analyzed by attackers. This behavior effectively renders the browser unusable for the affected user until the process is manually restarted, which constitutes a denial of service from the user's perspective. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also systems where Konqueror serves as the primary web browsing interface, potentially impacting productivity and system availability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques related to privilege escalation through application exploitation and denial of service attacks, specifically targeting the web browser as a critical system component.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1478 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive measures. The most effective solution involves updating to a patched version of Konqueror and KDE 3.0.3, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases through improved input validation and buffer management. Organizations should implement web filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious byte sequences before they reach vulnerable applications. Network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted web content in browsers. Additionally, system monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual core dump generation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive input validation and proper memory management in web browser implementations, emphasizing the need for regular security updates and vulnerability assessments. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for web browsers to contain potential exploitation impacts and prevent cascading failures throughout the desktop environment.