CVE-2008-5263 in ksquirrel-libs
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the mt_codec::getHdrHead function in kernel/kls_hdr/fmt_codec_hdr.cpp in ksquirrel-libs 0.8.0 allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Radiance RGBE image (aka .hdr file).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5263 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the ksquirrel-libs library version 0.8.0. This issue specifically affects the mt_codec::getHdrHead function located in the kernel/kls_hdr/fmt_codec_hdr.cpp source file, which processes Radiance RGBE image files with the .hdr file extension. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and boundary checking when parsing header information from these specialized image files that are commonly used in computer graphics and lighting applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious .hdr files that contain oversized or malformed header data, causing the application to write beyond the allocated stack buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables context-dependent attackers to gain arbitrary code execution privileges within the target system. When a vulnerable application processes the crafted .hdr file, the buffer overflow can corrupt stack memory, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information. This memory corruption can lead to unpredictable program behavior, application crashes, or more seriously, complete system compromise. The vulnerability's context-dependent nature means that successful exploitation requires specific conditions to be met, such as the target application being configured to process .hdr files or having the affected library loaded in memory. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where applications handle untrusted image data from external sources.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through legitimate application interfaces. The attack vector typically involves social engineering or supply chain compromise to deliver the malicious .hdr file to a target system, followed by the exploitation of the buffer overflow during normal application processing. Organizations using ksquirrel-libs or applications that depend on this library are at risk of remote code execution if they process untrusted .hdr image files, particularly in web applications, content management systems, or graphic processing pipelines. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries, as these components often handle complex file formats with extensive header structures that require careful boundary checking.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5263 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected ksquirrel-libs library to version 0.8.1 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections. System administrators should implement input validation measures to restrict or sanitize .hdr file processing, including limiting file size, validating header structures, and implementing file type detection mechanisms. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help prevent unauthorized execution of vulnerable applications. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that all dependencies are updated to secure versions, and runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention should be enabled to reduce exploit reliability. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify systems running vulnerable versions of the library and ensure comprehensive patch management across all affected applications and services.