CVE-2005-0215 in Mozilla
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla 1.6 and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a XBM (X BitMap) file with a large (1) height or (2) width value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2016
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0215 represents a classic buffer overflow condition affecting the Mozilla 1.6 web browser and potentially other versions within the same release cycle. This issue manifests specifically when processing X BitMap image files, which are a standard format for storing bitmap graphics. The flaw occurs during the parsing of XBM file headers where the application fails to properly validate the dimensions specified in the file metadata. When an attacker crafts a malicious XBM file containing excessively large height or width values, the browser attempts to allocate memory based on these inflated dimensions, leading to a buffer overflow condition that ultimately results in application instability and crash.
The technical execution of this vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and memory management flaws. The root cause can be traced to CWE-122, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient checks are performed on input data before memory allocation. When the Mozilla browser encounters an XBM file with oversized dimensions, it attempts to allocate memory resources proportional to the specified width and height values. If these values exceed the system's memory limits or the application's internal buffer boundaries, the allocation fails and causes the browser process to terminate abruptly. This behavior aligns with the broader ATT&CK framework's T1499.004 technique, which covers network denial of service attacks that target application stability through malformed input processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application disruption to represent a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks. While the immediate effect is a denial of service condition that prevents users from accessing content, the vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for attackers seeking to escalate their privileges or deliver additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects a widely used browser version that was prevalent during the mid-2000s era, making it particularly concerning from a historical security perspective. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Mozilla 1.6 would experience service interruptions when encountering malicious XBM files, potentially impacting productivity and user experience. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly innocuous file format processing can create critical security weaknesses that affect large user bases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0215 should focus on immediate patch deployment and enhanced input validation measures. The primary solution involves updating to a patched version of Mozilla that properly validates image dimensions before memory allocation occurs. System administrators should implement strict content filtering policies that prevent users from downloading or opening XBM files from untrusted sources. Network security controls can be configured to block or scan XBM file types at ingress points to prevent exploitation. Additionally, browser hardening techniques including sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms can provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices that align with industry standards such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar flaws in other image processing components and ensure that all software components properly validate external inputs before processing.