CVE-2004-0688 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in (1) the xpmParseColors function in parse.c, (2) XpmCreateImageFromXpmImage, (3) CreateXImage, (4) ParsePixels, and (5) ParseAndPutPixels for libXpm before 6.8.1 may 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 identified as CVE-2004-0688 represents a critical security flaw affecting the libXpm library versions prior to 6.8.1, which is a fundamental component in X Window System applications for handling XPM image format processing. This issue stems from multiple integer overflow conditions within core functions responsible for parsing and creating XPM image data structures, creating a pathway for remote code execution through specially crafted malicious image files. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of applications that rely on libXpm for image handling, including graphical user interfaces, image viewers, and various X11-based software components.
The technical exploitation occurs through integer overflows in several key functions within the parsing and image creation pipeline. The xpmParseColors function in parse.c demonstrates the primary vulnerability where integer arithmetic overflow can occur during color parsing operations, while XpmCreateImageFromXpmImage, CreateXImage, ParsePixels, and ParseAndPutPixels functions each present separate overflow conditions that can be triggered when processing malformed XPM data. These integer overflows result in memory corruption that allows attackers to manipulate program execution flow and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability specifically targets 32-bit integer arithmetic where calculations exceed maximum representable values, leading to unexpected behavior in memory allocation and data handling routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it affects the fundamental security model of X Window System applications. Attackers can remotely exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious XPM image files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, trigger the integer overflow conditions and subsequent memory corruption. This creates a significant risk for network services, web applications, and desktop environments that utilize libXpm for image processing, potentially allowing remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access, execute malicious code, or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects systems where XPM image files are processed from untrusted sources, making it particularly dangerous in web environments and applications that handle user-uploaded content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0688 primarily focus on immediate library updates and application-level protections. The most effective solution involves upgrading to libXpm version 6.8.1 or later, which contains patches addressing all identified integer overflow conditions. System administrators should prioritize patching affected applications that rely on libXpm, particularly those handling untrusted image data from external sources. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation and sanitization for XPM image files, restricting file upload capabilities, and deploying network segmentation to limit exposure. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that can be addressed through proper bounds checking and secure coding practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and code execution techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive application security hardening and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent exploitation of similar integer overflow conditions in other libraries and applications.