CVE-2007-1308 in Konqueror
Summary
by MITRE
ecma/kjs_html.cpp in KDE JavaScript (KJS), as used in Konqueror in KDE 3.5.5, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) by accessing the content of an iframe with an ftp:// URI in the src attribute, probably due to a NULL pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1308 resides within the KDE JavaScript engine known as KJS, specifically in the ecma/kjs_html.cpp file. This flaw affects KDE version 3.5.5 and impacts the Konqueror web browser which utilizes this JavaScript engine. The vulnerability manifests when processing iframe elements that reference external resources through ftp:// URIs in their src attributes, creating a condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt service availability.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference error within the KJS JavaScript engine's handling of HTML elements. When Konqueror encounters an iframe with an ftp:// URI in its source attribute, the JavaScript engine fails to properly validate or handle the null reference that occurs during the processing of the remote file transfer protocol address. This failure results in the browser crashing and becoming unavailable to the user, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can be triggered remotely without requiring any special privileges or authentication from the attacker.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for users of KDE 3.5.5 and the Konqueror browser. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger the denial of service condition simply by constructing malicious web pages containing the vulnerable iframe syntax, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing environments where users may encounter untrusted content. The vulnerability directly impacts the availability and reliability of the browser, potentially disrupting user productivity and creating opportunities for more sophisticated attacks if combined with other exploitation techniques.
The flaw aligns with CWE-476 which identifies NULL Pointer Dereference as a critical weakness in software systems, representing a fundamental error in memory management and input validation. This vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK tactics including TA0040 (Resource Development) and TA0005 (Defense Evasion) as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent disruption of services. The lack of proper input sanitization and null pointer validation in the KJS engine demonstrates a failure to implement robust error handling mechanisms that would prevent such crashes from occurring.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to a patched version of KDE that addresses the NULL pointer dereference in the KJS JavaScript engine. System administrators should prioritize updating Konqueror and the broader KDE desktop environment to versions that contain the appropriate fixes. Additionally, implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help prevent exploitation of this vulnerability by blocking malicious iframe content. Organizations should also consider disabling iframe support or implementing strict content security policies that limit the execution of external resources within web browsers to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper error handling and input validation in JavaScript engines and web browser components that process external content.