CVE-2006-3672 in Konqueror
Summary
by MITRE
KDE Konqueror 3.5.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) by calling the replaceChild method on a DOM object, which triggers a null dereference, as demonstrated by calling document.replaceChild with a 0 (zero) argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3672 affects KDE Konqueror web browser versions 3.5.1 and earlier, representing a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. This vulnerability specifically targets the browser's handling of Document Object Model operations, particularly the replaceChild method which is part of the standard DOM API used for manipulating HTML documents. The flaw manifests when Konqueror processes certain DOM operations that involve the replaceChild method, creating a condition where the application crashes due to improper memory management.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a null pointer dereference error within Konqueror's JavaScript engine implementation. When the replaceChild method is invoked with a zero argument, the browser fails to properly validate input parameters before attempting to access memory locations. This particular condition creates a scenario where the application attempts to dereference a null pointer, leading to an unhandled exception that terminates the browser process. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web browser security and memory management, demonstrating how improper input validation can lead to application instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users who may encounter malicious web content that triggers the specific DOM sequence. Attackers can craft web pages containing malicious JavaScript that calls document.replaceChild with a zero argument, causing Konqueror to crash immediately upon page load or interaction. This denial of service condition effectively prevents users from accessing legitimate web content through the affected browser, potentially disrupting productivity and creating opportunities for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered automatically without user interaction, making it a prime target for drive-by download scenarios.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which categorizes null pointer dereference conditions as a common software weakness that can lead to application crashes and potential privilege escalation. This flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to cause system instability or denial of service. Organizations using affected Konqueror versions face potential operational disruption and increased security risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited across different operating systems where the browser is installed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in web browser implementations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of Konqueror to versions 3.5.2 or later where the issue has been resolved through proper input validation and null pointer checking. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected installations and consider implementing browser security policies that restrict potentially dangerous DOM operations. Additionally, network administrators can deploy web filtering solutions that block access to known malicious domains that might contain exploit code. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against browser-based exploits. Users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping their browser software current with security patches.