CVE-2001-0580 in Virtual DNS
Summary
by MITRE
Hughes Technologies Virtual DNS (VDNS) Server 1.0 allows a remote attacker to create a denial of service by connecting to port 6070, sending some data, and closing the connection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The CVE-2001-0580 vulnerability affects the Hughes Technologies Virtual DNS Server version 1.0, which represents a critical denial of service weakness in network infrastructure software. This particular implementation of DNS server functionality operates on port 6070, making it susceptible to exploitation by remote attackers who can disrupt legitimate service availability. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in connection handling and resource management within the VDNS server software, where improper state management leads to system instability when processing incoming connections. The attack vector is straightforward yet effective, requiring minimal technical expertise to execute against vulnerable systems.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which catalogs weaknesses related to resource management and improper handling of system resources, specifically addressing the lack of proper connection state validation and resource cleanup. The flaw operates at the network protocol level where the server fails to properly validate or process incoming data connections, leading to potential resource exhaustion or memory corruption. The attack methodology involves establishing a connection to the designated port, transmitting arbitrary data payloads, and then abruptly terminating the connection, which triggers the denial of service condition. This approach represents a classic resource exhaustion attack pattern that can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, focusing on network disruption through resource consumption and connection manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, as it can affect critical network infrastructure components that depend on DNS resolution for proper operation. Organizations utilizing Hughes Technologies VDNS Server 1.0 face potential disruption to their network services, particularly when the server acts as a primary DNS resolver for multiple network segments. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to systematically degrade network performance or completely disable DNS services, affecting authentication systems, web browsing capabilities, and other network-dependent applications. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed network services. The simplicity of the attack vector also increases the likelihood of automated exploitation, as security tools may not easily distinguish between legitimate connection attempts and malicious exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0580 should include immediate implementation of network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to port 6070, particularly from untrusted networks. Organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual connection patterns or rapid connection cycling that may indicate exploitation attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to a newer version of the VDNS server software that properly implements connection handling and resource management protocols. Security administrators should also implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect and alert on abnormal connection behaviors or resource utilization patterns that may indicate successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and connection state management in network services, aligning with industry best practices for secure coding and robust system design principles that prevent resource exhaustion attacks.