CVE-2004-2589 in Gaim
Summary
by MITRE
Gaim before 0.82 allows remote servers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a long HTTP Content-Length header, which causes Gaim to abort when attempting to allocate memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2589 represents a classic buffer overflow condition affecting the Gaim instant messaging client prior to version 0.82. This flaw resides in the client's handling of HTTP Content-Length headers during network communications with remote servers. The issue manifests when a malicious or compromised server sends an excessively long Content-Length header value that exceeds the client's expected memory allocation limits. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack and demonstrates poor input validation practices that have been categorized under CWE-122 as improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the Gaim client's memory management subsystem attempting to allocate resources based on the Content-Length header value received from a remote server. When this value exceeds the client's predefined threshold or memory constraints, the application encounters a fatal error during the allocation process, resulting in an application crash and subsequent denial of service condition. This behavior aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service, where adversaries exploit application-level flaws to disrupt service availability. The flaw specifically targets memory allocation routines that do not properly validate the legitimacy of the Content-Length header values, creating a scenario where legitimate network traffic can be weaponized to cause system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass broader service availability concerns for users relying on the Gaim client for communication. When exploited, the vulnerability can render the instant messaging client completely unusable, forcing users to restart the application or reboot their systems to restore functionality. This denial of service condition affects not only individual users but can potentially impact larger communication networks where Gaim clients are deployed in enterprise or organizational environments. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal network access and can be performed by remote attackers without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted servers or where server compromise is possible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2589 involve immediate patching of the Gaim client to version 0.82 or later, which includes proper bounds checking for Content-Length header values. System administrators should implement network-level controls to monitor and filter suspicious HTTP headers, though this approach provides only partial protection since the vulnerability exists within the application's core memory management. The recommended solution follows the principle of least privilege and input validation practices that align with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. Additionally, users should maintain updated client versions and avoid connecting to untrusted servers, while network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed Content-Length headers as potential indicators of exploitation attempts.