CVE-2001-0358 in Half-Life
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflows in Sierra Half-Life build 1573 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long map command, (2) a long exec command, or (3) long input in a configuration file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2014
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0358 represents a critical buffer overflow issue affecting Sierra Half-Life build 1573 and earlier versions of the game engine. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the game's command processing subsystem, specifically in how the software handles map commands, exec commands, and configuration file inputs. The flaw exists at the core of the engine's parsing logic where fixed-size buffers are used to store user-provided data without proper bounds checking, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. In the context of Half-Life, when a remote attacker sends a maliciously crafted packet containing an excessively long map command, exec command, or configuration file input, the application fails to validate the input length before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This results in memory corruption that can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information, ultimately allowing the attacker to redirect program execution to malicious code. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited over network connections, making it particularly dangerous in multiplayer gaming environments where players can send arbitrary commands to game servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise in scenarios where affected servers are accessible to untrusted users. Attackers can leverage these buffer overflows to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process, potentially leading to complete system takeover when the game server runs with elevated permissions. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without physical access to the target system, making it particularly attractive to malicious actors targeting gaming infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not only single-player experiences but also multiplayer servers that may be running vulnerable versions of the Half-Life engine, creating widespread exposure across gaming communities and professional gaming environments that rely on stable server infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0358 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available builds that address the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable game servers and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious command sequences. The principle of least privilege should be applied to game server processes, ensuring they run with minimal required permissions to reduce potential impact from successful exploitation. Additionally, input validation should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level sanitization, network-level filtering, and regular security audits of game server configurations. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to execute commands and scripts on compromised systems.