CVE-2003-1508 in mIRC
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in mIRC 6.12, when the DCC get dialog window has been minimized and the user opens the minimized window, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1508 represents a classic buffer overflow flaw within mIRC version 6.12 that specifically manifests when handling DCC get dialog windows. This issue occurs during the process of opening a previously minimized DCC get dialog window, creating a scenario where remote attackers can exploit the software's failure to properly validate input lengths. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows for remote code execution leading to denial of service conditions, effectively crashing the application and rendering it unavailable to legitimate users. The flaw exists within the client-side chat application's handling of file transfer operations, specifically when the user interacts with minimized DCC windows during file transfers.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the mIRC application's DCC get dialog processing mechanism. When a user minimizes a DCC get dialog window and subsequently attempts to open it, the application fails to properly validate the length of filenames being processed. This creates an exploitable condition where a malicious attacker can craft a specially formatted filename that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing a stack-based buffer overflow. The overflow occurs because the application does not implement proper input sanitization or length validation before copying data into fixed-size buffers, allowing the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents a fundamental flaw in memory management practices and input validation procedures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a critical security weakness that could potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. When the application crashes due to the buffer overflow, legitimate users lose access to the chat functionality and file transfer capabilities, disrupting normal communication patterns. In networked environments where mIRC is used for collaborative work or communication, this vulnerability could be exploited to systematically disrupt operations and cause service interruptions. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may be simultaneously affected. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and represents a specific implementation weakness in client-side applications that can be exploited through network-based interactions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application and input validation enhancements. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a patched version of mIRC that addresses the buffer overflow condition through proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect unusual DCC transfer patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of accepting file transfers from untrusted sources, as the vulnerability can be triggered through malicious file names during DCC operations. Security measures should include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of vulnerable versions of mIRC, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify potential buffer overflow exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities and establish incident response procedures that can quickly address exploitation attempts targeting this specific flaw.