CVE-2005-0473 in Gaim
Summary
by MITRE
The HTML parsing functions in Gaim before 1.1.3 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-2005-0208.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0473 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting the Gaim instant messaging client version 1.1.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the HTML parsing functionality within the application, which is responsible for rendering HTML content received from network communications. The issue manifests when Gaim processes malformed HTML input, leading to an invalid memory access condition that ultimately results in application crash and complete service disruption for users. This flaw operates independently from CVE-2005-0208, indicating a distinct code path that requires separate mitigation approaches. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory corruption issues that have been systematically catalogued by the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) as CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory access violations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weaknesses in the HTML parsing engine's memory management routines. When Gaim encounters malformed HTML content, the parsing functions fail to properly validate input boundaries, leading to attempts to access memory locations outside the allocated buffer space. This invalid memory access typically occurs during the processing of HTML tags, attributes, or embedded content that does not conform to expected formatting standards. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with buffer overflow conditions, though specifically manifesting as memory access violations rather than traditional overflow scenarios. According to ATT&CK framework categorization under T1499.004, this vulnerability enables an attacker to execute denial of service attacks against target systems, effectively disrupting normal service availability for legitimate users. The attack vector requires remote execution as the malicious HTML content can be delivered through various communication channels including chat messages, file transfers, or web-based content integration.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0473 extends beyond simple application instability to encompass broader service availability concerns for organizations relying on Gaim for communication infrastructure. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause complete application termination, forcing users to restart the messaging client and potentially lose ongoing conversations or connections. The disruption affects not only individual users but can also impact enterprise communication systems where multiple users depend on the same messaging platform. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can initiate attacks without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. Organizations utilizing Gaim for business communications face potential productivity losses and increased administrative overhead as IT teams must respond to service disruptions and implement emergency patches. The vulnerability also creates indirect security implications as attackers may use the denial of service condition as a precursor to more sophisticated attacks, leveraging the service disruption to mask other malicious activities or create opportunities for system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0473 primarily focus on immediate software updates and implementation of input validation controls. The most effective approach involves upgrading to Gaim version 1.1.3 or later, which includes patched HTML parsing functions that properly handle malformed input. Organizations should implement network-level controls to filter potentially malicious HTML content and consider disabling HTML rendering capabilities entirely if the risk assessment deems it necessary. The implementation of proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms should be enforced throughout the application's HTML processing pipeline to prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other components. Security administrators should also monitor for any related vulnerabilities that may have been discovered in the same codebase, as the presence of one memory access vulnerability often indicates potential for additional flaws. Additionally, implementing application sandboxing or containment strategies can limit the impact of exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other messaging applications or communication platforms within the organization's infrastructure.