CVE-2004-0687 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in (1) xpmParseColors in parse.c, (2) ParseAndPutPixels in create.c, and (3) ParsePixels in parse.c for libXpm before 6.8.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed XPM image file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0687 represents a critical security flaw affecting the libXpm library versions prior to 6.8.1. This library serves as a crucial component for handling X11 pixmap format files, which are widely used in graphical user interfaces and applications across unix-like operating systems. The flaw manifests through three distinct stack-based buffer overflow conditions that occur during the parsing of XPM image files, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through remote file processing without requiring local privileges. These buffer overflows specifically occur in the xpmParseColors function within parse.c, the ParseAndPutPixels function in create.c, and the ParsePixels function also in parse.c, each representing different entry points for malicious input manipulation.
The technical nature of these vulnerabilities stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the XPM parsing routines. When malformed XPM image files are processed, the library fails to properly bounds-check array accesses during the parsing operations, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution, as the overflowed stack memory can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow. The stack-based nature of these overflows means that the attacker can potentially overwrite return addresses, saved registers, and other critical stack frame data, enabling complete control over the affected application's execution path. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue in software development practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0687 extends far beyond individual application compromise, as libXpm is widely integrated into numerous graphical applications and system components. Any application that processes XPM image files, including image viewers, graphic design tools, web browsers with XPM support, and various desktop environments, becomes a potential target for exploitation. Remote attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities by crafting specially malformed XPM files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, trigger the buffer overflows. This makes the attack surface particularly broad, as XPM files can be embedded in web pages, distributed through email attachments, or served from web servers, allowing for widespread exploitation. The vulnerability's remote execution capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves using malicious files to execute code, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where users might unknowingly process malicious content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0687 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected libXpm versions, with the release of libXpm 6.8.1 addressing these specific buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected applications that depend on libXpm, including desktop environments, graphic applications, and any web-based interfaces that might process XPM files. Additionally, implementing input validation measures at application level can provide defense-in-depth, ensuring that XPM files are properly sanitized before processing. Network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing techniques can further reduce the risk of exploitation, particularly for applications that might encounter untrusted XPM content from external sources. The vulnerability serves as a prime example of why proper memory management and input validation are critical components of secure software development, as it demonstrates how seemingly benign file format processing can become a gateway for complete system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning to identify any remaining instances of older libXpm versions within their environments, as the widespread adoption of this library makes it a common target for attackers seeking to exploit legacy software components.