CVE-2007-0148 in OmniWeb
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in OmniGroup OmniWeb 5.5.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in the Javascript alert function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0148 represents a critical format string flaw within OmniGroup OmniWeb version 5.5.1 that exposes the browser to remote exploitation. This weakness specifically manifests in the JavaScript alert function implementation where improper input validation allows attackers to inject malicious format specifiers that can manipulate memory operations and execution flow. The vulnerability stems from the browser's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it through format string functions, creating an avenue for arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-134, which describes the weakness of using user-controlled format strings in applications. The flaw exists in the JavaScript engine's handling of the alert function where format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x are processed without adequate validation of input parameters. When malicious format specifiers are passed through the alert function, they can cause the application to read or write to arbitrary memory locations, leading to unpredictable behavior including application crashes or potential code execution. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious webpage containing crafted JavaScript code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise potential. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected browser process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that victims can be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in web-based attack scenarios. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0148 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from OmniGroup, as the vulnerability affects a specific version of the browser that is no longer supported. Organizations should implement network-based protections through web application firewalls and content filtering systems to block known malicious JavaScript patterns. Browser hardening measures including disabling JavaScript execution in untrusted environments, implementing strict content security policies, and using sandboxing techniques can provide additional protection layers. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual JavaScript execution patterns and memory access anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper input validation and format string handling in web browser implementations, as demonstrated by the widespread nature of format string vulnerabilities in application security.