CVE-2004-0500 in Gaim
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the MSN protocol plugins (1) object.c and (2) slp.c for Gaim before 0.82 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via MSNSLP protocol messages that are not properly handled in a strncpy call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0500 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting the MSN protocol plugins within the Gaim instant messaging client software. This flaw exists specifically in two core files: object.c and slp.c, which handle the processing of MSNSLP protocol messages. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes malformed MSN protocol messages that are not properly handled through a strncpy function call, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the MSN protocol handling components of Gaim. When the software encounters MSNSLP protocol messages containing excessive data lengths, the strncpy function fails to properly terminate strings or enforce buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption. This buffer overflow condition occurs because the application does not adequately check the length of incoming protocol data before copying it into fixed-size buffers, directly violating secure coding principles and creating opportunities for malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution on affected systems. Attackers can craft specially malformed MSNSLP protocol messages that, when processed by vulnerable Gaim versions, trigger the buffer overflow and allow arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected user. This represents a severe security risk given that instant messaging clients often run with elevated privileges and may have access to sensitive user data and network communications. The vulnerability affects all Gaim versions prior to 0.82, making it particularly concerning as many users would have been running these outdated versions in production environments.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes the condition of stack-based buffer overflow, and also relates to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploit for execution through the manipulation of input validation mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates how protocol implementation errors can create persistent security weaknesses in communication software, particularly when dealing with network protocols that may be subject to manipulation by untrusted parties. Organizations relying on Gaim for instant messaging communications were exposed to significant risk from this vulnerability, as attackers could exploit it to gain unauthorized access to systems or disrupt service availability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to Gaim version 0.82 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions in both object.c and slp.c files. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing network-based protections and monitoring for suspicious MSN protocol traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.