CVE-2004-0891 in Gaim
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the MSN protocol handler for gaim 0.79 to 1.0.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an "unexpected sequence of MSNSLP messages" that results in an unbounded copy operation that writes to the wrong buffer.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0891 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the MSN protocol handler of the Gaim instant messaging client version 0.79 through 1.0.1. This issue stems from improper input validation and memory management practices within the application's handling of MSNSLP protocol messages. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the client receives a malformed sequence of MSNSLP messages that triggers an unbounded copy operation, leading to memory corruption and potential arbitrary code execution. The flaw exists at the protocol parsing layer where the application fails to properly bounds-check data before copying it into fixed-size buffers, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-125, representing out-of-bounds read conditions. The attack vector involves sending specially crafted MSNSLP messages to a vulnerable Gaim client instance, which then processes these messages through the MSN protocol handler without proper sanitization. When the application attempts to copy data from the malicious input into a predetermined buffer, it overflows the allocated memory space, causing the application to crash or potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the running process. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond receiving the malicious messages.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for users of the affected Gaim versions, as it can be exploited to cause persistent denial of service conditions that disrupt communication services. The potential for arbitrary code execution adds an additional layer of risk, allowing attackers to gain control of affected systems and potentially use them as launching points for further attacks within a network environment. The vulnerability affects not only individual user sessions but can also impact network infrastructure if the client is used in enterprise environments where multiple users may be simultaneously connected. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target users without needing physical access to their systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on instant messaging for communication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected Gaim versions to 1.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address the buffer overflow conditions in the MSN protocol handler. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect and block suspicious MSNSLP message patterns that could indicate attempted exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of accepting messages from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping their instant messaging clients updated. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for command and control communications, and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, as the potential for arbitrary code execution could be leveraged to establish persistent access. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unpatched versions of the software and deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying the specific message patterns associated with this exploit.