CVE-2005-0208 in Gaim
Summary
by MITRE
The HTML parsing functions in Gaim before 1.1.4 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via malformed HTML that causes "an invalid memory access," a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-0473.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0208 represents a critical memory access flaw within the Gaim instant messaging client software prior to version 1.1.4. This issue specifically targets the HTML parsing functionality that Gaim employs to render web content and rich text messages within its user interface. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and memory management within the application's HTML processing components, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the software through carefully crafted malformed HTML content. The flaw operates at the core of how Gaim handles HTML rendering, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by legitimate message exchanges that contain maliciously formatted content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as an invalid memory access condition that occurs when the HTML parsing functions encounter malformed input structures. This type of memory access violation typically results from buffer overflows, use-after-free errors, or improper pointer handling within the parsing engine. When Gaim attempts to process the malformed HTML, the parsing functions fail to properly validate the input structure, leading to memory corruption that ultimately causes the application to crash and terminate unexpectedly. The vulnerability differs from CVE-2005-0473, indicating it represents a distinct memory access pattern that requires separate remediation approaches. This classification aligns with CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities, both of which are common in HTML parser implementations.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0208 extends beyond simple application instability, as it provides remote attackers with a reliable method to disrupt communication services through denial of service attacks. An attacker can craft malicious HTML content that, when received by a victim using an affected Gaim version, triggers the memory access violation and causes the application to crash. This disruption can be particularly damaging in environments where instant messaging serves as a critical communication channel, as it effectively prevents users from receiving or sending messages until the application is manually restarted. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system or network privileges to exploit it, making it highly accessible and dangerous in unpatched environments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1595.001, which addresses reconnaissance through network scanning.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0208 focus primarily on immediate software updates and patches to address the underlying memory access issues within Gaim's HTML parsing functions. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Gaim version 1.1.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, network administrators can implement content filtering measures to block or sanitize HTML content before it reaches end-user systems, though this approach may impact functionality and user experience. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management in client-side applications, particularly those handling untrusted content from external sources. Security practitioners should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to limit the execution of vulnerable software versions and establish monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in other HTML rendering functionality while maintaining the application's core messaging capabilities.