CVE-2008-1761 in Web Browser
Summary
by MITRE
Opera before 9.27 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted newsfeed source, which triggers an invalid memory access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1761 affects Opera web browsers versions prior to 9.27, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to compromise system integrity through maliciously crafted newsfeed content. This vulnerability resides within the browser's handling of RSS and Atom feed data, specifically when processing malformed or specially constructed feed sources that trigger memory corruption issues. The flaw manifests when Opera attempts to parse and display content from an attacker-controlled newsfeed, creating conditions that lead to invalid memory access patterns that can result in application crashes or potentially more severe consequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper input validation and memory management within Opera's feed parsing subsystem. When the browser encounters a crafted newsfeed source, the parsing logic fails to properly validate the structure and content of the feed data, leading to buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions, and CWE-787, which covers "Out-of-bounds Write" scenarios. The memory access violations occur during the processing of feed elements such as titles, descriptions, or metadata fields that contain maliciously constructed data patterns designed to exploit the browser's parsing routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for users who regularly access RSS feeds or news sources from untrusted origins. Attackers can craft newsfeed content that, when loaded by the vulnerable Opera browser, causes the application to crash or, in more sophisticated attacks, executes arbitrary code with the privileges of the browser process. This represents a significant threat vector since newsfeeds are commonly used for information aggregation and are often automatically processed by browsers without user intervention, creating opportunities for automated exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python," though in this case the exploitation occurs through feed parsing rather than direct scripting.
The exploitation landscape for CVE-2008-1761 demonstrates how seemingly benign features like newsfeed aggregation can become attack surfaces when proper input validation is absent. Users who regularly access news sources, particularly those from unknown or untrusted providers, face significant risk from this vulnerability. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond simply loading a malicious feed, making it particularly effective in phishing campaigns or targeted attacks against specific user groups. Organizations should consider implementing feed filtering or proxy solutions as temporary mitigations while users update to patched versions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper memory management and input validation in web browser components, as similar issues have been identified in other browser vendors' implementations, emphasizing the broader need for robust security practices in client-side applications.