CVE-2005-0399 in Netscape
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in GIF2.cpp in Firefox before 1.0.2, Mozilla before to 1.7.6, and Thunderbird before 1.0.2, and possibly other applications that use the same library, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a GIF image with a crafted Netscape extension 2 block and buffer size.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the GIF image parsing functionality of Mozilla-based applications including Firefox, Mozilla Suite, and Thunderbird. The flaw occurs within the GIF2.cpp file when processing GIF images containing specially crafted Netscape extension 2 blocks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of the Netscape extension block, which is a proprietary extension used by Netscape to store additional information within GIF files. When the application encounters a malformed Netscape extension 2 block with an oversized buffer size parameter, it fails to properly validate the input before allocating heap memory, leading to a buffer overflow condition.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of memory allocation patterns within the GIF parsing library where the application calculates buffer sizes based on data provided in the Netscape extension block without sufficient validation. This allows attackers to craft GIF images that, when processed by vulnerable applications, cause memory corruption in the heap allocation region. The vulnerability is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow under CWE-122, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of the length of a buffer before a buffer copy operation. The attack vector requires remote code execution through web-based delivery, making it particularly dangerous in browser environments where users frequently encounter untrusted media content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. When exploited, the buffer overflow can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the compromised application. This represents a significant threat in the context of web browsing, where users are routinely exposed to untrusted content. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Mozilla codebase, indicating a widespread impact across the entire ecosystem of applications that utilize the same underlying GIF parsing library. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker hosting a malicious GIF image on a web server, which is then loaded by a victim's browser, triggering the exploitation process.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected applications to versions that contain proper bounds checking and input validation for GIF parsing operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive application update management procedures to ensure all vulnerable software components are promptly upgraded. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious GIF content, though this approach is less reliable than proper software patching. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual memory allocation patterns and potential exploitation attempts in web browser processes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, emphasizing the need for layered security controls including application whitelisting, privilege separation, and regular security assessments of browser components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in multimedia libraries, as similar issues may exist in other applications utilizing the same parsing codebase.