CVE-2006-3198 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Opera 8.54 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a JPEG image with large height and width values, which causes less memory to be allocated than intended.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3198 represents a critical integer overflow flaw affecting Opera web browsers version 8.54 and earlier. This issue stems from improper handling of image dimensions during JPEG parsing operations, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted image files can trigger memory allocation errors. The flaw specifically manifests when the browser processes JPEG images containing exceptionally large height and width values that exceed the maximum representable integer values, leading to arithmetic overflow conditions that compromise memory management integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the browser's JPEG decoder failing to properly validate dimension parameters before allocating memory buffers. When encountering oversized width and height values, the integer overflow causes the system to allocate insufficient memory for the image data structure, creating a situation where subsequent memory operations can overwrite adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption directly enables attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the browser process, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the affected browser.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to end users since JPEG images are commonly encountered media types on the web. Attackers can exploit this flaw by hosting malicious JPEG files on compromised websites or through email attachments, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that users need only visit a malicious webpage or open an infected email attachment to be compromised, without requiring any additional user interaction beyond normal browsing behavior.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of web browsers through malicious content delivery. Organizations using affected Opera versions face substantial risk of unauthorized code execution, data theft, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in multimedia processing components, as image parsing libraries often handle untrusted data from external sources without adequate safeguards against malformed input parameters.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Opera browsers to versions that address the integer overflow in JPEG handling routines. System administrators should implement browser security policies that restrict image processing capabilities where possible, and organizations should consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious image file characteristics. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and opening unknown email attachments remains crucial, though the automatic nature of this vulnerability makes it particularly challenging to prevent through user awareness alone. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity for regular security assessments of multimedia libraries and components that handle external data inputs.