CVE-2007-6524 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera before 9.25 allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive memory contents via a crafted bitmap (BMP) file, as demonstrated using a CANVAS element and JavaScript in an HTML document for copying these contents from 9.50 beta, a related issue to CVE-2008-0420.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2019
This vulnerability in Opera browsers prior to version 9.25 represents a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from improper memory handling during bitmap file processing. The vulnerability specifically affects the browser's rendering engine when processing crafted bitmap files, allowing remote attackers to extract sensitive memory contents through maliciously constructed bmp files. The attack vector involves embedding a CANVAS element within an HTML document alongside JavaScript code that facilitates memory copying operations, demonstrating how seemingly benign image processing can become a sophisticated exploitation technique.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the browser's interaction with bitmap image formats and the CANVAS API to access memory locations that should remain protected from external access. When Opera processes a specially crafted bmp file, the memory management routines fail to properly validate or sanitize the image data, creating opportunities for attackers to read adjacent memory segments that may contain sensitive information such as session tokens, passwords, or other confidential data. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to improper access control mechanisms within the browser's image processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to reconstruct sensitive data from memory dumps that might include user credentials, application state information, or other confidential elements stored in the browser's memory space. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, gather intelligence about running applications, or potentially escalate privileges within the browser environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as simply viewing a malicious webpage containing the crafted bmp file and CANVAS element can trigger the memory disclosure mechanism, making it particularly dangerous for web-based attacks.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader ATT&CK framework, specifically under the information gathering and credential access phases where adversaries seek to extract sensitive information from compromised systems. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly routine browser functionality can become a vector for sophisticated attacks, highlighting the importance of proper input validation and memory management in web browsers. Organizations should implement immediate patches to Opera browsers, as well as network-based intrusion detection rules that can identify and block malicious bitmap files containing suspicious CANVAS elements. Additionally, browser hardening measures such as sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms should be enabled to limit the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future.