CVE-2014-7216 in Yahoo!
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Yahoo! Messenger 11.5.0.228 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via the (1) shortcut or (2) title keys in an emoticons.xml file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7216 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting Yahoo! Messenger version 11.5.0.228 and earlier implementations. This vulnerability resides within the parsing logic of the emoticons.xml file processing mechanism, where the application fails to properly validate input lengths before copying data to fixed-size stack buffers. The flaw specifically manifests when the application encounters specially crafted shortcut or title keys within the emoticons.xml configuration file, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can exceed the allocated buffer boundaries and overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental principle of stack buffer overflows as categorized under CWE-121, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious input to overwrite stack memory. When Yahoo! Messenger processes the emoticons.xml file, it reads the shortcut and title attributes without implementing proper length validation or sanitization checks. This creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious XML content containing excessively long shortcut or title values that exceed the predetermined buffer sizes, leading to stack corruption. The overflow conditions can result in unpredictable program behavior, including application crashes or potential code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for Yahoo! Messenger users and organizations relying on the application for communication. The remote exploitation capability means attackers can trigger the vulnerability without requiring local access or user interaction beyond receiving a malicious emoticons.xml file. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users might receive files from untrusted sources or where the application automatically processes third-party emoticon packs. The potential for arbitrary code execution, while not guaranteed, represents a severe risk that could allow attackers to gain control of affected systems, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access points.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios as outlined in the CVE description. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this represents a privilege escalation and code execution vector through software exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects the application's memory management and input validation processes, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow. Organizations using Yahoo Messenger versions, implementing proper buffer size validation, and establishing secure parsing mechanisms for external XML configuration files. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based protections and monitoring for suspicious emoticon file patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.