CVE-2015-1332 in oxide-qt
Summary
by MITRE
The oxide::JavaScriptDialogManager function in oxide-qt before 1.9.1 as packaged in Ubuntu 15.04 and Ubuntu 14.04 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted website.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1332 resides within the oxide::JavaScriptDialogManager function of the oxide-qt library, a component that serves as the foundation for web browsing capabilities in various Ubuntu desktop applications. This flaw affects specific versions of Ubuntu 15.04 and Ubuntu 14.04, where the oxide-qt library version prior to 1.9.1 contains a critical security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers through maliciously crafted web content. The issue represents a significant concern for system integrity and user safety, as it provides attackers with potential pathways to disrupt normal application functionality or gain unauthorized execution privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the JavaScript dialog management component of the oxide-qt framework. When processing maliciously constructed web pages, the function fails to adequately sanitize user-provided data, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. This type of flaw typically manifests as heap-based buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions that can be leveraged to manipulate program execution flow. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can compromise entire user sessions. Attackers can craft specially designed websites that, when loaded in affected applications, trigger the vulnerable code path and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This represents a critical threat vector for desktop environments where users may inadvertently visit malicious sites or be subjected to drive-by download attacks. The vulnerability affects the core browsing functionality of Ubuntu desktop applications, potentially compromising user data and system security.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given the widespread use of affected Ubuntu versions and the privileged nature of the applications that utilize oxide-qt. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1499.004 for network denial of service, while also enabling privilege escalation through T1068. Organizations and users should immediately implement mitigations including updating to oxide-qt version 1.9.1 or later, applying Ubuntu security patches, and implementing network-level controls to restrict access to untrusted web content. Additionally, browser sandboxing mechanisms and application whitelisting policies can help reduce the risk of exploitation, while regular security assessments should monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other web rendering components.