CVE-2008-3583 in IntelliTamper
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the HTML parser in IntelliTamper 2.07 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long URL in the SRC attribute of an IMG element. NOTE: this might be related to CVE-2008-3360. NOTE: it was later reported that 2.08 Beta 4 is also affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3583 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the HTML parsing component of IntelliTamper version 2.07. This security flaw resides in the software's handling of HTML content, specifically when processing the src attribute of img elements within web pages. The vulnerability manifests when a remote attacker crafts a malicious URL that exceeds the allocated buffer size, causing memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The affected software operates as a web content modification tool that intercepts and alters HTML content, making it particularly dangerous when users browse the internet with this tool enabled.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the HTML parser component of IntelliTamper. When the software encounters an img element with a src attribute containing an excessively long URL, the parsing routine fails to properly check buffer boundaries before copying the URL data into a fixed-size memory buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the application does not perform adequate bounds checking on user-supplied input, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw is particularly dangerous as it operates within the context of HTML parsing, where attackers can craft malicious web pages that trigger the vulnerable code path when the software processes them. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized control over systems running affected versions of IntelliTamper. An attacker could construct a malicious web page containing an img element with an overly long src URL, and when a user with the vulnerable software accesses this page, the buffer overflow would be triggered. This could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download attacks. Additionally, the fact that version 2.08 Beta 4 was also confirmed as affected indicates that the underlying flaw was not properly addressed in the subsequent release, suggesting a fundamental design issue in the input validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and input validation improvements. Users should upgrade to the latest available version of IntelliTamper that contains patches addressing this buffer overflow condition, though the specific patch details are not provided in the CVE description. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious URL patterns, particularly those that contain unusually long strings in img src attributes. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, and T1059, which covers command and script injection. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and buffer management in security-critical applications, particularly those that process untrusted web content.