CVE-2005-3007 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera before 8.50 allows remote attackers to spoof the content type of files via a filename with a trailing "." (dot), which might allow remote attackers to trick users into processing dangerous content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3007 represents a significant content type spoofing issue within Opera web browsers prior to version 8.50. This flaw stems from the browser's inadequate handling of filenames that contain trailing dots, creating a condition where malicious actors can manipulate how files are interpreted and processed by the browser. The vulnerability specifically targets the browser's file extension recognition mechanisms, which are critical for determining how content should be handled and displayed to users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way Opera processes filenames containing trailing dots, which are valid filesystem characters but can be used to circumvent normal content type detection. When a user encounters a file with a trailing dot in its name, the browser's content type determination logic fails to properly identify the actual file extension, potentially allowing attackers to serve malicious content with deceptive file names. This issue falls under the broader category of content type confusion attacks where the browser's interpretation of file types becomes unreliable, creating opportunities for malicious code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a serious risk for end users who may be tricked into processing dangerous content that appears benign due to the spoofed file type. Attackers can leverage this flaw to deliver malicious executables, scripts, or other harmful content that would normally be blocked or handled appropriately by the browser's security mechanisms. The impact extends beyond simple phishing attacks to potentially enable more sophisticated exploitation techniques where users unknowingly execute harmful code. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-1021, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited context, and represents a clear violation of secure content handling principles.
The security implications of CVE-2005-3007 align with several ATT&CK tactics including initial access through social engineering and execution via malicious file downloads. Users may be deceived into opening what appears to be a harmless file, only to have their systems compromised through the exploitation of this content type spoofing vulnerability. The attack vector relies heavily on user trust and the assumption that browser security mechanisms will properly identify and handle file content based on standard naming conventions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to Opera version 8.50 or later, which includes proper handling of trailing dot characters in filenames. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive browser security policies that include regular updates, user education about suspicious file downloads, and network-level filtering to prevent access to known malicious content. Security teams should also consider implementing content disposition headers and additional validation mechanisms to prevent similar issues in web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and content type determination in browser security architecture, highlighting the need for robust handling of edge cases in file name processing.