CVE-2008-0945 in Instant Messaging
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the logging function in the IM Server (aka IMserve or IMserver) in Ipswitch Instant Messaging (IM) 2.0.8.1 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) and possibly have unspecified other impact via format string specifiers in an IP address field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0945 represents a critical format string vulnerability within the logging functionality of Ipswitch Instant Messaging Server version 2.0.8.1 and earlier. This flaw exists in the IM Server component, commonly known as IMserve or IMserver, which serves as the core messaging daemon for the Ipswitch IM platform. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the server processes IP address information through its logging functions, creating a dangerous condition where user-supplied input can be interpreted as format specifiers rather than literal values.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling within the server's logging mechanism. When authenticated users submit IP addresses containing format string specifiers such as %s, %d, or other printf-style formatting characters, the logging function fails to properly sanitize this input before processing. This allows attackers to manipulate the format string parameters and potentially execute arbitrary code or cause the daemon to crash. The vulnerability operates at the application level where the server's logging subsystem processes user-provided IP address data without adequate protection against format string attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system availability and potentially confidentiality. Remote authenticated users can trigger denial of service conditions by causing the IM server daemon to crash, effectively disrupting messaging services for legitimate users. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that attackers might be able to leverage this vulnerability for more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. The fact that authentication is required limits the scope to authorized users but does not eliminate the threat, as compromised accounts or insider threats could exploit this weakness. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where format strings are constructed from user-controlled data without proper sanitization.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire messaging infrastructure. Network administrators must consider that authenticated users with legitimate access could abuse this flaw to cause system instability, leading to extended downtime and potential data loss. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user access controls may be insufficient or compromised. Security professionals should note that this issue demonstrates the importance of input validation in logging functions, as these components often receive untrusted data from various sources within network applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the Ipswitch Instant Messaging Server to version 2.0.8.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this format string vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the IM server and enforce strict access controls for user authentication. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unusual logging patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection highlights the need for comprehensive application security testing and input validation controls. Regular security assessments and code reviews should specifically target logging functions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions of the software.