CVE-2016-9624 in w3m
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the Tatsuya Kinoshita w3m fork before 0.5.3-33. w3m allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault and crash) via a crafted HTML page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9624 affects the w3m web browser fork developed by Tatsuya Kinoshita, specifically versions prior to 0.5.3-33. This represents a denial of service flaw that can be exploited remotely by attackers who craft malicious HTML content designed to trigger a segmentation fault within the w3m application. The issue manifests when the vulnerable browser processes specially constructed web pages that cause the application to crash and terminate unexpectedly.
This vulnerability falls under the category of software defects that can be exploited through input manipulation, specifically targeting memory management and parsing routines within the w3m browser implementation. The flaw occurs during HTML page rendering when the application encounters malformed or crafted elements that cause improper memory access patterns leading to segmentation faults. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in web browsing contexts as they can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt service availability for legitimate users.
The technical impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes as it represents a broader class of memory corruption issues that can potentially be escalated to more severe exploits. When a segmentation fault occurs, the w3m process terminates abruptly, requiring users to restart the browser to continue their browsing session. This disruption can be particularly problematic in environments where continuous access to web resources is required, such as in automated systems or critical operational contexts where browser availability is essential.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-119, which encompasses memory corruption vulnerabilities. The attack vector is classified as remote, meaning that an attacker can exploit this flaw without requiring physical access to the target system. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be leveraged through web-based attacks, potentially through malicious websites or compromised web content that users might inadvertently visit.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9624 extends to both individual users and organizations that rely on w3m for web browsing capabilities. For individual users, the vulnerability results in unexpected browser crashes and service disruption, while for organizations, it can impact productivity and potentially create security concerns if attackers use this vulnerability as part of broader attack campaigns. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of keeping software updated, as the issue was resolved in version 0.5.3-33, highlighting the critical need for regular patch management processes.
Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigations including updating to w3m version 0.5.3-33 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the segmentation fault vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network-based controls such as web application firewalls or content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should also include detection of unusual browser crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of input validation and proper memory management practices in browser development, as these are fundamental security principles that align with the ATT&CK framework's approach to defending against memory corruption attacks.