CVE-2007-1663 in ekg
Summary
by MITRE
Memory leak in the image message functionality in ekg before 1:1.7~rc2-1etch1 on Debian GNU/Linux Etch allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1663 represents a critical memory management flaw within the ekg messaging application, specifically affecting versions prior to 1:1.7~rc2-1etch1 on Debian GNU/Linux Etch systems. This memory leak occurs within the image message handling functionality, where the application fails to properly release allocated memory resources when processing image-based messages. The flaw manifests as a progressive consumption of system memory resources, ultimately leading to system instability and potential service disruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a core messaging functionality that could be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The memory leak vulnerability directly relates to CWE-401, which categorizes improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation as a fundamental weakness in software security architecture. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by sending specially crafted image messages to the affected ekg service, causing the application to continuously allocate memory without proper cleanup, resulting in gradual memory exhaustion that ultimately leads to denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices within the image processing subsystem of the ekg application. When the application receives an image message, it allocates memory buffers to process and store image data, but fails to properly deallocate these resources upon completion of processing or upon encountering error conditions. This improper resource management creates a condition where memory allocated for image processing accumulates over time, particularly when multiple image messages are processed sequentially. The vulnerability is classified as a remote denial of service attack because the exploitation requires no local access to the system and can be performed from any network location capable of communicating with the vulnerable ekg service. The attack vector involves sending image messages to the target system, which then processes these messages through the vulnerable code path, causing progressive memory consumption that can eventually exhaust available system resources and terminate the application service.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-1663 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader system stability concerns and potential availability risks for communication services. Organizations relying on ekg for instant messaging or communication services face significant operational risks when this vulnerability exists in their environment, as the memory leak can cause system performance degradation, application crashes, and complete service unavailability. The vulnerability affects systems where ekg is used as a primary communication channel, potentially impacting business continuity and user productivity. From an attacker perspective, the vulnerability provides a straightforward method for causing service disruption without requiring advanced technical skills or privileged access. The memory leak can be sustained over time, allowing attackers to maintain prolonged denial of service conditions that may be difficult to detect and mitigate. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion, and represents a classic example of how memory management flaws can be exploited to create persistent service availability issues. The vulnerability affects systems where ekg is deployed as a messaging daemon, particularly in environments where continuous availability is critical for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1663 focus primarily on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to ekg version 1:1.7~rc2-1etch1 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes to address the leak condition. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network-level protections such as rate limiting for image message processing and connection throttling can help reduce the impact of potential attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices in security-critical applications and underscores the need for regular security updates and patch management procedures. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious message patterns and automated response mechanisms that can isolate affected services during attack scenarios. The fix for this vulnerability represents a standard memory management correction that addresses the root cause by ensuring proper deallocation of memory resources after image processing operations are completed, thereby preventing the accumulation of unreleased memory blocks that lead to the denial of service condition.