CVE-2008-5884 in AyeView
Summary
by MITRE
AyeView 2.20 allows user-assisted attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a GIF file with a malformed header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5884 affects AyeView 2.20, a graphics viewing application that processes various image formats including GIF files. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow or parsing error that occurs when the application encounters malformed input data during the processing of graphic files. The vulnerability is categorized as a user-assisted denial of service condition, meaning that an attacker must convince a user to open a specifically crafted malicious GIF file for the attack to be successful. The flaw resides in how AyeView handles GIF file headers, particularly when these headers contain unexpected or malformed data structures that the application's parser cannot properly handle.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the GIF file processing module of AyeView. When the application attempts to parse a GIF file with a malformed header, it fails to properly validate the structure and content of the header fields before attempting to process them. This parsing failure typically results in memory corruption or an unhandled exception that causes the application to terminate abruptly, leading to a denial of service condition. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read or under CWE-129 as an improper validation of array index, depending on the specific implementation details of the parsing routine. The attack vector requires social engineering to convince the victim to open the malicious file, making it a user-assisted rather than a fully autonomous attack.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations that rely on AyeView for image processing tasks or as part of their standard software suite. The denial of service impact can disrupt workflows where users depend on the application for viewing graphics, potentially causing productivity losses and requiring IT support intervention. The vulnerability affects the availability aspect of the system's security triad, as legitimate users cannot access the application while it is crashing. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service, and represents a common pattern in application-level vulnerabilities where input validation failures lead to service disruption. The impact is particularly concerning in environments where AyeView is used in automated processes or where multiple users might be simultaneously accessing the application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term prevention measures. The most effective immediate solution is to update to a patched version of AyeView that properly validates GIF file headers and implements robust error handling for malformed input. System administrators should also consider implementing file type validation at network boundaries or through content filtering solutions to prevent malicious GIF files from reaching end users. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening unknown or untrusted graphic files, particularly in email attachments or downloaded content. Organizations should implement regular software patch management procedures to ensure all applications are kept up to date with the latest security fixes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices including input validation, proper error handling, and bounds checking as recommended by the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and ISO/IEC 27045 standards for application security.