CVE-2004-1831 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Chrome 1.2.0.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a packet with a large length value, which leads to a null dereference or out-of-bounds read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1831 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting Chrome versions 1.2.0.0 and earlier, with implications for remote code execution and system stability. This vulnerability specifically targets the browser's handling of network packets containing excessively large length values, creating a dangerous condition where the application fails to properly validate input data before processing. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking within the network protocol handling code, allowing malicious actors to craft specially crafted packets that exploit the software's memory management mechanisms. Such attacks can be executed remotely without requiring any user interaction, making them particularly dangerous in networked environments where browsers are routinely exposed to untrusted data streams. The vulnerability manifests when the browser attempts to process a packet with an abnormally large length field, triggering a cascade of memory access violations that ultimately result in application instability.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow places it firmly within the scope of CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under T1203, specifically targeting application vulnerabilities to cause system instability and denial of service conditions. When a malicious packet with an oversized length value is processed, the browser's memory allocation routines attempt to handle data that exceeds expected boundaries, leading to either a null pointer dereference or an out-of-bounds memory read operation. These memory access violations occur because the application fails to implement proper input validation and length checking before attempting to allocate memory or process the packet data. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the condition from any network location without requiring local system access or user interaction, making it particularly attractive for widespread exploitation campaigns.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1831 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks within the broader threat landscape. While the immediate effect is a browser crash that disrupts user experience, the underlying memory corruption vulnerabilities can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where browsers serve as primary attack vectors for network-based threats. The vulnerability affects the fundamental network communication stack of the browser, meaning that any application or service relying on Chrome's network handling capabilities could be indirectly compromised. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in such an early version of Chrome indicates a systemic issue with input validation practices that could affect other similar components within the software architecture. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of exploitation, particularly in environments where network traffic is not properly filtered or monitored for malicious packet patterns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1831 require immediate action to upgrade to patched versions of Chrome, as the vulnerability cannot be effectively addressed through configuration changes or workarounds. The most effective remediation involves implementing a comprehensive patch management program that ensures all browser installations are updated to versions containing proper input validation and memory handling fixes. Network administrators should deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify and block packets with suspiciously large length values, though this approach provides only partial protection since the vulnerability exists within the application layer. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and traffic filtering to limit exposure to potentially malicious data streams. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation practices and proper memory management in software development, particularly for applications handling untrusted network data. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the software supply chain, ensuring that buffer overflow conditions are properly addressed through defensive programming techniques and automated testing procedures.