CVE-2008-5698 in Konqueror
Summary
by MITRE
HTMLTokenizer::scriptHandler in Konqueror in KDE 3.5.9 and 3.5.10 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via an invalid document.load call that triggers use of a deleted object. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5698 represents a critical memory safety issue within the Konqueror web browser component of KDE 3.5.9 and 3.5.10 versions. This flaw exists within the HTMLTokenizer::scriptHandler function which processes JavaScript execution within HTML documents. The vulnerability manifests when a malicious web page attempts to invoke document.load with invalid parameters, specifically targeting the interaction between the HTML parser and script execution engine. The root cause stems from improper memory management where the system attempts to access a memory object that has already been freed or destroyed during the document loading process. This particular weakness falls under the category of use-after-free vulnerabilities as defined by CWE-416, where program code continues to reference memory that has been deallocated, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crash scenarios, as it provides remote attackers with a reliable method to disrupt user browsing sessions and potentially escalate their control over affected systems. When exploited, the vulnerability causes Konqueror to terminate abruptly, resulting in denial of service conditions that can be particularly disruptive in enterprise environments where users rely on consistent browser functionality. The attack vector requires no special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as any user visiting a malicious website could trigger the exploit. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which describes denial of service attacks through application or system crashes. The exploitation mechanism specifically targets the browser's HTML parsing engine, making it a significant threat to web browsing security and user experience.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected KDE installations to version 3.5.11 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. System administrators should implement network-level controls to monitor and restrict access to potentially malicious websites, though this approach provides only partial protection given the nature of the exploit. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping their browser software updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in web browser implementations and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of parsing and execution components. Organizations should consider implementing browser isolation techniques and monitoring for unusual application crash patterns as part of their overall security posture. This particular vulnerability also underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and conducting thorough code reviews to prevent similar memory safety issues from occurring in other browser components or applications.