CVE-2007-5590 in Miranda
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Miranda before 0.7.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors involving (1) IRC options, (2) Jabber forms, and unspecified aspects of the (3) ICQ and (4) Yahoo! instant messaging functionality. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5590 represents a critical security flaw in Miranda IM versions prior to 0.7.1, exposing multiple buffer overflow conditions that could be exploited by remote attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability affects several instant messaging protocols including IRC, Jabber, ICQ, and Yahoo! instant messaging functionalities, making it particularly dangerous as it spans across multiple communication channels. The buffer overflows occur in the handling of various protocol-specific data structures and user inputs, creating multiple attack surfaces that adversaries could leverage to compromise systems running affected versions of the software. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that these buffer overflows can be triggered through network-based attacks without requiring any special privileges or authentication from the target system.
The technical implementation of these buffer overflows stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within Miranda's protocol handlers. When processing IRC options, Jabber forms, or instant messaging data from ICQ and Yahoo! services, the application fails to properly bounds-check user-supplied data before copying it into fixed-length buffers. This classic programming error allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to stack corruption, heap corruption, or controlled code execution. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the exact triggering conditions may vary between protocol implementations, but all share the common vulnerability pattern of insufficient memory boundary checks. These flaws align with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflows, both of which are fundamental weaknesses in memory safety that have historically led to remote code execution exploits.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5590 extends beyond simple privilege escalation or denial of service, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with complete system control. Attackers could leverage these buffer overflows to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected Miranda IM process, typically running with user-level permissions but potentially elevated through system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that instant messaging applications often run continuously and may be used to communicate with contacts across untrusted networks, making them attractive targets for exploitation. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on instant messaging for business communications, as compromised client systems could serve as entry points for broader network infiltration. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), as attackers could use the compromised systems to execute commands and potentially move laterally within networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5590 require immediate action to upgrade to Miranda version 0.7.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches addressing the identified buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly those targeting instant messaging protocols or unusual network traffic patterns. System administrators should consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while also ensuring that all instant messaging clients are properly configured to avoid unnecessary protocol support that could introduce additional attack vectors. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and the need for robust input validation practices in client applications that process untrusted network data. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of accepting messages from untrusted sources and the importance of maintaining current software versions to protect against known vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unpatched or malicious instant messaging clients, as well as establishing incident response procedures for potential exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other messaging platforms.