CVE-2005-0965 in gaim
Summary
by MITRE
The gaim_markup_strip_html function in Gaim 1.2.0, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a string that contains malformed HTML, which causes an out-of-bounds read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0965 resides within the gaim_markup_strip_html function of the Gaim instant messaging client version 1.2.0 and potentially earlier releases. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests as an out-of-bounds read, allowing remote attackers to exploit the application through crafted HTML content. The vulnerability specifically targets how the application processes markup text, particularly when encountering malformed HTML sequences that are commonly used in web-based communications and instant messaging protocols. The affected component operates as a core text processing function responsible for stripping HTML tags from messages to prevent malicious code execution in the user interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the gaim_markup_strip_html function, which fails to properly handle malformed HTML structures during the parsing process. When the application encounters HTML content that does not conform to expected formatting standards, the parsing algorithm attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This out-of-bounds memory access results in unpredictable application behavior including segmentation faults and subsequent application crashes. The flaw operates under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions, and can be categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to disrupt communication services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any remote user who can send maliciously formatted messages to a target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0965 extends beyond simple application instability to potentially disrupt communication services and compromise user experience within instant messaging environments. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability causes the targeted Gaim client to crash and terminate unexpectedly, forcing users to restart their messaging applications and potentially lose ongoing conversations. This denial of service condition can be particularly disruptive in enterprise environments where instant messaging serves as a critical communication channel. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizational communication infrastructure, as attackers can target multiple users simultaneously by sending maliciously formatted messages to various contacts. The impact is amplified when considering that Gaim was widely used across different operating systems and platforms, making the potential attack surface extensive.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0965 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to upgrade to Gaim versions that contain fixed implementations of the markup processing functions. System administrators should implement network-level filtering to restrict incoming HTML content from untrusted sources, particularly in environments where users may receive messages from external contacts. The implementation of input sanitization measures within the application layer can help prevent malformed HTML from reaching the vulnerable parsing functions. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious message patterns and alert administrators to potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening messages from unknown sources and the importance of keeping instant messaging applications updated can provide an additional layer of defense. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and buffer management in client-side applications, particularly those handling untrusted data from network sources.