CVE-2013-0272 in Pidgin
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in http.c in the MXit protocol plugin in libpurple in Pidgin before 2.10.7 allows remote servers to execute arbitrary code via a long HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0272 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the MXit protocol plugin of Pidgin messaging client. This issue affects versions prior to 2.10.7 and stems from improper handling of HTTP headers during communication with MXit servers. The vulnerability specifically resides in the http.c file of the libpurple library, which serves as the core protocol handling component for Pidgin's various instant messaging protocols. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the buffer overflow condition by crafting maliciously long HTTP headers that exceed the allocated buffer space, thereby allowing arbitrary code execution on vulnerable systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic buffer overflow pattern where insufficient bounds checking occurs during HTTP header processing. When Pidgin receives an HTTP response from an MXit server containing excessively long header data, the application fails to validate the header length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer. This allows an attacker-controlled data overflow that can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and program control structures. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking allows memory to be overwritten, and specifically aligns with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds writes that can result in arbitrary code execution. The attack vector operates through network communication where remote MXit servers can send malformed HTTP responses that trigger the vulnerable code path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to data theft, persistent backdoor installation, or use as a launching point for further attacks within a network. The vulnerability affects any system running Pidgin versions before 2.10.7 that connects to MXit servers, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where instant messaging systems are widely deployed. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the target system, and the vulnerability can be triggered simply by connecting to a malicious MXit server or intercepting communication with a compromised server. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of remote services for code execution, and T1059, which covers the execution of commands through various interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0272 primarily focus on immediate version updates to Pidgin 2.10.7 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems are updated promptly, as the vulnerability has been widely exploited in the wild. Additional defensive measures include network segmentation to isolate instant messaging systems, implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP header patterns, and configuring firewalls to restrict communication with potentially malicious MXit servers. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in network protocol implementations, particularly for applications that handle untrusted network data. Security practitioners should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted instant messaging clients, and maintain regular security assessments of messaging infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other protocol plugins. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other components of their messaging infrastructure.