CVE-2008-2828 in tmsnc
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in tmsnc allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an MSN packet with a UBX command containing a large UBX payload length field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2828 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the tmsnc component of the Telepathy framework, which is a key part of the GNOME desktop environment's instant messaging infrastructure. This flaw specifically affects the handling of MSN protocol packets, particularly those containing UBX commands with oversized payload length fields. The vulnerability resides in the network communication layer where the application processes incoming MSN packets without adequate bounds checking on the payload length field, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered remotely by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the tmsnc library's packet parsing mechanism. When processing an MSN packet with a UBX command, the application reads the payload length field and uses it to allocate stack memory for processing the subsequent data. However, the application fails to validate that this length field remains within acceptable bounds before proceeding with memory allocation and data copying operations. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious packet with an excessively large payload length value that exceeds the allocated stack buffer size, resulting in a buffer overflow condition that corrupts adjacent memory locations and potentially overwrites the return address of the calling function.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can cause the affected application to crash due to memory corruption, leading to a denial of service condition that disrupts instant messaging services. More critically, attackers can potentially manipulate the overflow to overwrite the instruction pointer or other critical control structures, enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected process. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the Telepathy framework is used for communication services, as it could allow attackers to compromise user sessions or gain unauthorized access to network resources.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions due to inadequate bounds checking. The attack pattern follows typical remote exploitation vectors described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Command and Control" and "Exploitation for Client Execution" where attackers leverage protocol parsing flaws to execute malicious code on target systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management practices in network communication libraries, particularly those handling untrusted external data from network protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2828 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with updated versions of the Telepathy framework that include proper bounds checking and input validation for payload length fields. Organizations should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to MSN protocol services where possible, reducing the attack surface. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious MSN packet patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed UBX command sequences will help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of protocol implementations and regular security audits of communication libraries to identify and remediate similar buffer overflow conditions before they can be exploited by malicious actors.