CVE-2007-1503 in Rhapsody IRC
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in comm.c in Rhapsody IRC 0.28b allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers to the create_ctcp_message function using the message argument to the (1) me or (2) ctcp commands, and possibly related vectors involving the (3) whois, (4) mode, and (5) topic commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1503 represents a critical format string flaw within the Rhapsody IRC client version 0.28b, specifically within the comm.c file. This issue stems from improper input validation and handling of user-supplied data within the create_ctcp_message function, which processes IRC protocol commands. The vulnerability affects multiple IRC commands including me, ctcp, whois, mode, and topic, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across various communication vectors within the IRC protocol framework. Format string vulnerabilities occur when application code improperly handles format specifiers in user input, allowing attackers to manipulate memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the attacker crafting malicious input strings containing format specifiers such as %x, %s, or %n that are then processed by the vulnerable create_ctcp_message function. When these malformed strings are passed through the message argument of the affected IRC commands, the application's printf-like functions interpret these specifiers as instructions for memory access rather than literal text. This misinterpretation enables attackers to read arbitrary memory locations, write to memory addresses, or even execute code by manipulating the program's stack and heap memory structures. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-134 weakness in the CWE database, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where format strings are constructed from user-controlled data.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-1503 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable complete system compromise when exploited against IRC clients. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of Rhapsody IRC, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The multi-vector nature of the exploit means that a single attack could compromise multiple communication channels within the IRC network, as the vulnerability affects several standard IRC commands that are frequently used for user interaction and network information retrieval. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Rhapsody IRC client to a version that properly validates and sanitizes user input before processing format specifiers. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit exposure and monitor for unusual IRC traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in protocols that handle user input, and demonstrates the necessity of following secure coding guidelines such as those outlined in the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and ensure that all IRC clients are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities in network communication tools.