Vulnerability Note VU#905177

Skype vulnerable to heap-based buffer overflow

Overview

A heap-based buffer overflow in Skype may allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service condition.

I. Description

Skype software provides telephone service over IP networks. Skype contains a buffer overflow in a routine that parses incoming network traffic. The issue exists because Skype relies on user-controlled data to determine the size of buffers used to handle incoming packets. This may allow a remote attacker to manipulate memory allocation routines to create an under-sized buffer. When data is copied to this buffer, a heap-based buffer overflow may occur.

For more information, please refer to Skype Security Bulletin SKYPE-SB/2005-003.

II. Impact

A remote attacker may be able to overwrite heap memory causing the Skype process to crash or cause unpredictable behavior. In addition, public reports claim this vulnerability can be used to execute arbitrary code.

III. Solution

Upgrade Skype

Please see Skype Security Bulletin SKYPE-SB/2005-003 for a list of fixed Skype versions.

Systems Affected

Vendor	Status	Date Notified	Date Updated
Skype Technologies	Vulnerable	26-Oct-2005

References

http://www.skype.com/security/skype-sb-2005-03.html
http://secunia.com/advisories/17305/
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/414519/30/0/threaded

Credit

This vulnerability was reported by SKY-CERT. Skype credits EADS Corporate Research Center security lab with providing information regarding this vulnerability.

This document was written by Jeff Gennari.

Other Information

Date Public:	2005-10-25
Date First Published:	2005-10-26
Date Last Updated:	2005-10-31
CERT Advisory:
CVE-ID(s):	CAN-2005-3267
NVD-ID(s):	CAN-2005-3267
US-CERT Technical Alerts:
Metric:	20.88
Document Revision:	18

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Produced 2005 by US-CERT, a government organization
Disclaimers and copyright information

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