CVE-2004-1676 in Instant Messenger
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the image sending feature in Gadu-Gadu 6.0 build 149 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted GG_MSG_IMAGE_REPLY message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1676 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting the Gadu-Gadu messaging client version 6.0 build 149. This issue resides within the image sending functionality of the application, specifically in how it processes GG_MSG_IMAGE_REPLY messages. The flaw demonstrates a classic memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The Gadu-Gadu client, widely used in Eastern European markets, became a prime target for exploitation due to its popularity and the inherent security weaknesses in its implementation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the image handling code path. When the client receives a specially crafted GG_MSG_IMAGE_REPLY message containing oversized image data, the application fails to validate the buffer size before copying data into heap-allocated memory regions. This insufficient input validation creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow. The heap-based nature of the overflow indicates that the vulnerable code operates on dynamically allocated memory segments, making the exploitation techniques more sophisticated and potentially more reliable than stack-based alternatives.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected systems running the vulnerable Gadu-Gadu client. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to install malware, steal user credentials, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects users who are actively communicating through Gadu-Gadu messaging services, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where instant messaging systems are widely deployed. Security researchers have classified this issue as high-risk due to its remote exploitability and the potential for privilege escalation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices for memory management. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within networks through compromised messaging systems. Organizations using Gadu-Gadu client should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation, firewall rules blocking unauthorized message traffic, and mandatory client updates to patched versions. The remediation process requires comprehensive network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts and systematic patch deployment across all affected endpoints to prevent successful exploitation attempts.