CVE-2010-0995 in Internet Download Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Internet Download Manager (IDM) before 5.19 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted FTP URI that causes unspecified "test sequences" to be sent from client to server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0995 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in Internet Download Manager (IDM) versions prior to 5.19. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of FTP URIs and specifically targets the client-side processing of crafted malicious URIs that trigger unintended "test sequences" to be transmitted from the client to the FTP server. The flaw manifests when IDM processes specially crafted FTP Uniform Resource Identifiers that contain excessive data in certain fields, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the victim's system. The vulnerability's classification as a stack-based buffer overflow aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer allocation and management issues that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on stack-allocated buffers. The attack vector requires remote exploitation through a maliciously crafted FTP URI, making it particularly dangerous as users may unknowingly encounter such URIs in web pages, email attachments, or other digital content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in IDM's input validation mechanisms when processing FTP protocol elements. When the application encounters a crafted FTP URI, it fails to properly validate the length of data contained within the URI components, particularly in fields related to server responses or test sequences. This insufficient validation allows attackers to overflow the stack buffer allocated for processing FTP communication sequences, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. The exploitation process leverages the predictable nature of stack memory layout in the application's execution environment, where attackers can craft payloads that overwrite critical execution control data with malicious code addresses. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the IDM process, typically running with elevated permissions due to its download management functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised system. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can gain full control over the victim's download management capabilities, potentially modifying download behavior, injecting malicious content into downloads, or using the compromised IDM process as a pivot point for further attacks. The vulnerability affects a widely deployed application, making it particularly attractive to threat actors who can leverage its presence in numerous enterprise and consumer environments. The fact that this vulnerability operates through standard FTP protocol interactions means that detection and prevention become more complex, as network traffic monitoring may not immediately flag the malicious activity, and traditional security measures may not specifically address the crafted URI attack pattern. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the typical user behavior of clicking on links or downloading content without sufficient verification, making social engineering components of attacks particularly effective in exploiting this flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0995 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected IDM installations to version 5.19 or later, as this represents the most direct and effective solution to address the underlying buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network-level controls such as URI filtering and content inspection to prevent users from accessing known malicious FTP URIs, particularly those containing unusual character sequences or excessive data in protocol fields. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual FTP protocol interactions and malformed URI patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of IDM only from trusted sources and configurations, reducing the attack surface for exploitation. The vulnerability's nature suggests that memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization should be enabled on systems where IDM is installed, though these protections alone are insufficient without proper input validation. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit FTP protocol access to only necessary systems, reducing the potential attack surface for remote exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct security awareness training to educate users about the risks of clicking on untrusted links and the importance of keeping software updated, as user behavior remains a critical factor in successful exploitation of this class of vulnerability.