CVE-1999-0826 in FreeBSD
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in FreeBSD angband allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-0826 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw discovered in the FreeBSD version of the popular roguelike game Angband. This issue affects the game's network server component and specifically targets the way the application handles incoming network data. The vulnerability exists within the game's networking code where insufficient bounds checking occurs when processing data received from remote clients. When a malicious local user sends specially crafted network packets to the Angband server, the application fails to properly validate the size of incoming data, leading to a buffer overflow condition that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running game server process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the network protocol handling code of Angband. The buffer overflow occurs when the application attempts to copy data from a network packet into a fixed-size buffer without adequate size verification. This classic programming error allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the program's execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited locally, meaning any user with access to the system can potentially leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges. The exploit typically involves crafting network packets that exceed the buffer capacity, causing memory corruption that can be manipulated to redirect program execution to malicious code.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to FreeBSD systems running the Angband game server. The privilege escalation aspect means that local users can potentially gain administrative access to the system, which could lead to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond just the game itself since the exploited process typically runs with elevated privileges to manage game resources and network connections. This vulnerability undermines the security model of the operating system by allowing unauthorized privilege escalation through a gaming application. The local exploitation requirement means that attackers do not need network access to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly concerning for multi-user systems where users may have legitimate access to the game server.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-1999-0826 involve multiple layers of security controls that align with established cybersecurity frameworks and best practices. System administrators should immediately apply the vendor-supplied patches that address the buffer overflow in the Angband server implementation. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can reduce the attack surface by limiting access to the game server to trusted users only. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the Angband server with minimal required permissions and avoiding execution with root privileges when possible. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and proper memory management practices in software development, which aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for privilege escalation techniques, including restricting local account permissions and monitoring for suspicious process execution patterns that could indicate exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.