CVE-2007-1464 in Inkscape
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the whiteboard Jabber protocol in Inkscape before 0.45.1 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1464 represents a critical format string vulnerability within the whiteboard Jabber protocol implementation in Inkscape software versions prior to 0.45.1. This flaw exists in the handling of formatted string data during communication with Jabber/XMPP servers, specifically within the whiteboard collaboration feature that enables real-time drawing and annotation sharing among users. The vulnerability arises from improper validation and sanitization of user-provided input data that gets processed through format string functions without adequate protection against malicious input sequences. The whiteboard functionality in Inkscape relies on Jabber protocol for peer-to-peer communication, making it susceptible to exploitation when remote users send specially crafted data packets containing format string specifiers that can manipulate memory access patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker sends maliciously formatted data through the Jabber protocol to a vulnerable Inkscape instance, specifically targeting the whiteboard feature. When the application processes this data without proper input validation, the format string vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow by injecting format specifiers such as %n, %s, or other sequence characters that can overwrite memory locations or trigger arbitrary code execution. The flaw stems from the application's use of unsafe string formatting functions like sprintf or printf without proper validation of the input data, particularly when processing data received from network connections. This creates an opportunity for attackers to perform stack-based buffer overflows, memory corruption, or code injection attacks that can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-134 as "Use of Externally-Controlled Format String" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of Inkscape. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring authentication or physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Inkscape is used for collaborative work or shared design projects. The whiteboard feature, being designed for real-time collaboration, makes it an attractive target for exploitation since users frequently exchange data with peers, creating multiple potential attack vectors. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on Inkscape for collaborative design work, potentially exposing sensitive design assets or intellectual property to unauthorized access. Organizations using Inkscape in collaborative environments should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat due to its remote exploitability and the potential for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1464 require immediate action to update Inkscape installations to version 0.45.1 or later, where the format string vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to Inkscape instances and monitor network traffic for suspicious Jabber protocol communications. Additional protective measures include disabling the whiteboard feature in environments where it is not required, implementing strict input validation for all external data sources, and conducting regular security audits of collaborative software deployments. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling potential compromise scenarios. The fix implemented in version 0.45.1 typically involves proper validation of format string arguments and the use of safe string formatting functions that prevent external input from being interpreted as format specifiers, thereby eliminating the attack vector that enabled this vulnerability.