CVE-2005-0874 in Trillian
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the (1) AIM, (2) MSN, (3) RSS, and other plug-ins for Trillian 2.0 allow remote web servers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a long string in an HTTP 1.1 response header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0874 represents a critical buffer overflow issue affecting multiple protocol plugins within Trillian 2.0 instant messaging client. This flaw specifically impacts the AIM, MSN, RSS, and other supporting plug-ins that handle various communication protocols. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and inadequate buffer size management when processing HTTP 1.1 response headers from remote web servers. According to CWE-121, this constitutes a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition where maliciously crafted input data exceeds the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption and application instability. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web server communications without requiring specialized network access or privileged credentials.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves remote web servers sending HTTP 1.1 responses containing excessively long strings within response headers to Trillian clients. When these malformed headers are processed by the affected plug-ins, the application attempts to copy the oversized data into fixed-size buffers without proper bounds checking. This results in memory overwrite conditions that corrupt the application's stack memory, ultimately causing the Trillian application to crash and terminate unexpectedly. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it leverages legitimate HTTP protocol behavior, making it difficult to distinguish between normal network traffic and malicious payloads. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries exploit application flaws to cause system instability or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially disrupt communication services for users relying on Trillian for instant messaging. Organizations using Trillian for business communications face significant risk of service interruption, as the application crash affects not only individual users but can also impact broader communication workflows. The vulnerability affects multiple protocols simultaneously, amplifying its potential impact across different communication channels within the same client application. Network administrators may observe increased application instability and user complaints about service availability, particularly in environments where users frequently access web resources that could trigger the vulnerable code paths. The flaw demonstrates poor software security practices in input handling and memory management, representing a fundamental weakness in the application's defensive architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0874 should prioritize immediate patching of the Trillian application to address the buffer overflow conditions in all affected plugins. System administrators should implement network-level controls to filter or sanitize HTTP response headers from potentially malicious sources, though this approach provides only partial protection given the nature of the vulnerability. The recommended approach aligns with CWE-691, emphasizing the need for comprehensive input validation and robust buffer management practices. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of vulnerable components and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual HTTP header patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other applications, particularly those handling network input data through protocol-specific plugins. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in preventing remote code execution and denial of service conditions in client applications.