CVE-2004-1810 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
The Javascript engine in Opera 7.23 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) by creating a new Array object with a large size value, then writing into that array.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1810 represents a classic buffer overflow condition within the JavaScript engine of Opera 7.23 that can be exploited to trigger a denial of service attack. This flaw exists in the array object implementation where the JavaScript engine fails to properly validate array size parameters before allocating memory resources. When an attacker constructs a new Array object with an excessively large size value, the engine attempts to allocate memory proportional to that size, leading to system instability and application crash. The vulnerability specifically targets the memory management mechanisms within Opera's JavaScript interpreter, which is categorized under CWE-129 as improper validation of array indices and CWE-787 as out-of-bounds write conditions.
The technical execution of this attack requires minimal privileges and can be accomplished through simple JavaScript code that creates an array with a massive size parameter. The attacker does not need to execute malicious code directly but can leverage the browser's JavaScript engine to perform the memory allocation that ultimately causes the crash. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service and demonstrates how seemingly benign scripting operations can be weaponized to disrupt service availability. The flaw exploits the fundamental memory allocation process within the JavaScript engine where array initialization does not properly check for integer overflow conditions or excessive memory consumption limits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple browser instability as it can be leveraged in larger attack chains where multiple compromised browsers could be used to create distributed denial of service scenarios. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability forces the browser application to terminate unexpectedly, potentially causing users to lose unsaved work and disrupting normal browsing sessions. This type of attack vector aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0040 for privilege escalation through application-level attacks, as it can be used to degrade system availability. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical weakness in the JavaScript engine's resource management capabilities, particularly in how it handles memory allocation for dynamic array objects.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1810 primarily involve upgrading to a patched version of Opera that properly validates array size parameters and implements appropriate memory allocation limits. Users should also consider implementing browser security measures such as sandboxing and content filtering to reduce the potential impact of such attacks. The fix typically involves adding bounds checking mechanisms to prevent allocation of arrays that would exceed system memory limits, which is a standard security practice for preventing buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious JavaScript patterns that attempt to exploit such memory allocation vulnerabilities, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential harvesting through network-based attacks. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of such legacy vulnerabilities that remain relevant in modern threat landscapes.