CVE-2004-0904 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the bitmap (BMP) decoder for Mozilla Firefox before the Preview Release, Mozilla before 1.7.3, and Thunderbird before 0.8 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via wide bitmap files that trigger heap-based buffer overflows.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0904 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the bitmap image decoder component of Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird applications. This issue affects versions prior to Firefox Preview Release, Mozilla 1.7.3, and Thunderbird 0.8, where the software fails to properly validate bitmap file dimensions during image parsing. The flaw occurs when processing specially crafted wide bitmap files that contain maliciously constructed dimension values, leading to improper memory allocation calculations. The integer overflow condition manifests when the product attempts to allocate heap memory based on calculated bitmap dimensions that exceed the maximum representable integer value, causing the allocation to wrap around and result in insufficient memory being allocated for the actual image data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages heap-based buffer overflow conditions that arise from the improper handling of image dimensions in bitmap files. When the vulnerable software processes a maliciously crafted BMP file with oversized width or height values, the integer overflow causes the memory allocation function to receive a corrupted size parameter. This corrupted allocation size results in insufficient heap memory being allocated for the image data structure, while the subsequent image parsing operations attempt to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The overflow condition creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and CWE-121, Stack-based Buffer Overflow, while also aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it provides remote attackers with a pathway to achieve arbitrary code execution on affected systems. Attackers can craft malicious bitmap files that, when opened by vulnerable applications, trigger the integer overflow condition and subsequently execute malicious payloads. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in email client environments where Thunderbird is affected, as it could be exploited through malicious email attachments without user interaction. The exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it a significant threat vector for phishing campaigns and targeted attacks. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile platforms where these applications are deployed, with potential for cross-platform exploitation. Organizations using affected versions of Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird face increased risk of compromise, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted bitmap files from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0904 require immediate software updates to versions that address the integer overflow condition in bitmap parsing. The primary remediation involves upgrading to Mozilla Firefox 1.7.3 or later, Mozilla 1.7.3 or later, and Thunderbird 0.8 or later, which contain patched implementations of the bitmap decoder that properly validate image dimensions and prevent integer overflow conditions. Network administrators should implement strict file type filtering and scanning mechanisms to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious bitmap files through email attachments or web downloads. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted image files and the importance of keeping software updated. Security monitoring should include detection of malformed bitmap files in network traffic and system logs. The patched implementations address the underlying integer overflow by implementing proper input validation, boundary checking, and safe integer arithmetic operations when processing bitmap file dimensions. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar integer overflow conditions in other software components.