CVE-2010-2785 in KVIrc
Summary
by MITRE
The IRC Protocol component in KVIrc 3.x and 4.x before r4693 does not properly handle \ (backslash) characters, which allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary CTCP commands via vectors involving \r and \40 sequences, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-2451 and CVE-2010-2452.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2785 affects the IRC Protocol component within KVIrc versions 3.x and 4.x prior to revision r4693, representing a significant security flaw in client-side internet relay chat implementations. This issue stems from inadequate handling of backslash characters within the IRC protocol processing logic, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation that differs fundamentally from other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2010-2451 and CVE-2010-2452. The flaw specifically manifests when processing sequences containing newline characters and backslash-40 combinations, which are commonly used in CTCP (Client-to-Client Protocol) command implementations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the input validation and parsing mechanisms of KVIrc's IRC protocol handler, which fails to properly sanitize or escape backslash characters during message processing. When authenticated users send specially crafted messages containing \ and \40 sequences, the application's protocol parser becomes confused by the improper character handling, leading to unexpected behavior in the command execution flow. This misinterpretation allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary CTCP commands within the IRC client environment, bypassing normal security controls that would typically prevent such unauthorized operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command injection, as it enables authenticated attackers to potentially escalate privileges within the IRC client environment and execute malicious code. Since the vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, it limits the attack surface to users who already have access to the IRC network through legitimate means, but it still represents a serious security risk for collaborative environments where multiple users interact. The vulnerability could allow attackers to manipulate chat sessions, access sensitive information, or potentially use the compromised client as a launch point for further attacks against other network participants.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-77, which covers command injection flaws, as the backslash handling issues create conditions similar to these well-known vulnerability categories. Additionally, the threat model aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and command execution within networked client applications. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to KVIrc version r4693 or later, implementing network-level filtering to detect and block suspicious CTCP command sequences, and establishing monitoring procedures for unusual command execution patterns within IRC client environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in protocol implementations and serves as a reminder that even seemingly benign character handling can create significant security risks in networked applications.