CVE-2000-0949 in Traceroute
Summary
by MITRE
Heap overflow in savestr function in LBNL traceroute 1.4a5 and earlier allows a local user to execute arbitrary commands via the -g option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0949 represents a critical heap overflow condition within the savestr function of LBNL traceroute version 1.4a5 and earlier implementations. This flaw exists in the network diagnostic tool designed to trace packet routes across network topology and demonstrates a classic buffer management failure that has significant implications for system security. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing command line arguments through the -g option, which is used to specify gateway addresses for routing traces. The heap overflow occurs due to insufficient bounds checking during string handling operations, allowing malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory regions within the program's heap allocation space.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent weakness in the savestr function's memory management approach, where input parameters are copied without proper validation of their length relative to the allocated buffer space. When a local user provides crafted input through the -g command line parameter, the program fails to enforce size limitations on the string data being processed, resulting in memory corruption that can be strategically manipulated to overwrite critical program structures. This heap corruption creates an opportunity for arbitrary code execution, as the overwritten memory locations can be controlled to redirect program execution flow to malicious payloads. The vulnerability operates at the application level and requires local system access, making it a local privilege escalation vector that can be particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0949 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as the heap overflow can be weaponized to achieve complete system compromise. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the traceroute process, potentially escalating to root access if the application runs with elevated permissions. This weakness aligns with CWE-122, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that traceroute is commonly installed on network administration systems and may be executed with elevated privileges during network troubleshooting operations. Network administrators should recognize that this vulnerability can be exploited by any local user with access to the system, making it a significant concern for environments where user isolation is not properly enforced.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0949 should focus on immediate patching of affected traceroute installations to version 1.4a6 or later, which includes proper bounds checking in the savestr function. System administrators should also implement access controls to limit local user privileges and consider disabling unnecessary network diagnostic tools that are not actively required for system operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in network utilities, as outlined in the software security principles of secure coding standards. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious command line usage patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their network administration toolsets to ensure that all diagnostic utilities have been updated to address known heap overflow vulnerabilities, as this particular weakness represents a common class of flaws that can be systematically prevented through proper defensive programming practices and comprehensive security testing protocols.