CVE-2004-0692 in Trolltech
Summary
by MITRE
The XPM parser in the QT library (qt3) before 3.3.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a malformed image file that triggers a null dereference, a different vulnerability than CVE-2004-0693.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0692 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Qt3 library's XPM image parser component. This issue affects versions prior to 3.3.3 and demonstrates how seemingly innocuous image processing functionality can be exploited to compromise application stability. The vulnerability specifically targets the XPM (X PixMap) file format parser which is part of the Qt3 multimedia and graphics framework. When a malformed XPM image file is processed by an application utilizing the vulnerable Qt3 library, the parser encounters a null pointer dereference condition that leads to application termination. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of software fault injection attacks where malicious input triggers unexpected program behavior rather than direct exploitation of memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the XPM parser module of Qt3. When processing XPM image files, the parser fails to properly validate the structure and content of the input data, particularly when encountering malformed header information or inconsistent data formats. The null dereference occurs during the parsing sequence when the code attempts to access a pointer that has not been properly initialized or has been set to null, causing the application to crash immediately upon encountering such malformed input. This behavior aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference vulnerabilities, where a null pointer is used in a context that requires a valid pointer reference. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient error handling in input processing components.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to applications that rely on Qt3 for image processing capabilities, particularly web applications, desktop software, and multimedia systems. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting specially designed XPM image files that, when loaded by vulnerable applications, will trigger immediate application crashes. This denial of service attack can be particularly effective in web environments where users might unknowingly download or view maliciously crafted image files. The impact extends beyond simple application instability as it can be used to disrupt services, cause availability issues for web applications, or potentially serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue means that even if no sensitive data is compromised, the service disruption can have significant business and operational consequences.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0692 primarily focus on updating to the patched version of Qt3 library, specifically version 3.3.3 or later where the null pointer dereference issue has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems utilizing Qt3 components are updated promptly. Additionally, input validation measures should be implemented at application level to sanitize image file inputs before processing, though this approach is less reliable than updating the underlying library. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and the broader category of application layer attacks that target software libraries rather than system-level components. Security teams should monitor for any instances where applications might be indirectly affected by this vulnerability through third-party components or dependencies that utilize vulnerable Qt3 versions.