CVE-2004-1283 in Mesh Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Mesh::type method in mesh.c for the mview program in Mesh Viewer 0.2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted mesh files.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1283 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Mesh::type method of the mview program's mesh.c source file in Mesh Viewer version 0.2.2. This issue arises from inadequate input validation when processing mesh files, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input data can exceed the bounds of allocated memory buffers. The vulnerability specifically affects the mesh file parsing functionality, which is fundamental to how the Mesh Viewer application processes and renders three-dimensional mesh data structures. The flaw exists at the intersection of memory management and data parsing, where the application fails to properly bounds-check user-supplied data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, representing a classic and dangerous class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables remote code execution capabilities for attackers who can successfully craft malicious mesh files. When a victim opens a specially crafted mesh file through the vulnerable mview program, the buffer overflow condition triggers memory corruption that can be exploited to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This represents a severe privilege escalation vector that can lead to complete system compromise, particularly when the application runs with elevated permissions or is used in environments where users might encounter untrusted mesh files. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or network shares without requiring local access to the target system.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how parsing flaws in multimedia and visualization software can create significant attack surfaces. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing robust input validation and memory safety practices, particularly in applications that process external data formats. Organizations should consider this flaw in the context of the broader software supply chain security landscape, where third-party visualization tools often receive less scrutiny than core system components. The vulnerability also highlights the need for proper software development lifecycle practices including static code analysis, dynamic testing, and memory safety verification to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1283 should include immediate patching of the Mesh Viewer application to version 0.2.3 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections and input validation fixes. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, particularly those that process untrusted mesh files from external sources. Additionally, organizations should deploy application whitelisting solutions and sandboxing techniques to contain potential exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other visualization and multimedia applications. The remediation process should also include implementing proper input validation frameworks and conducting code reviews focused on memory management practices to prevent recurrence of such vulnerabilities in future development cycles.