CVE-2001-0764 in Scotty
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ntping in scotty 2.1.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long hostname as a command line argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0764 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ntping utility component of scotty version 2.1.0. This issue resides in the command line argument processing mechanism where the application fails to properly validate input length when handling hostname parameters. The vulnerability specifically affects local users who can exploit this weakness by providing an excessively long hostname string as a command line argument to trigger the buffer overflow condition.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the ntping utility's string handling routines. When the application processes command line arguments, it does not enforce maximum length restrictions on hostname inputs, allowing attackers to overflow the allocated buffer space. This buffer overflow occurs in the memory region dedicated to storing the hostname parameter, where the application writes data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests as a classic stack-based buffer overflow that can be leveraged to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data, ultimately enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the targeted process.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0764 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation as it provides a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities within the system. Local users who can invoke the ntping utility with crafted command line arguments can potentially execute malicious code with the same privileges as the ntping process itself. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where the ntping utility is executed with elevated privileges or where local users have access to systems running vulnerable versions of scotty. The attack vector is straightforward and does not require network access, making it particularly concerning for local security controls.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation." The vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management practices that were common in software development during the early 2000s. Organizations should consider implementing input length validation, stack canaries, and address space layout randomization as mitigation strategies. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the importance of proper software testing and code review practices to identify and remediate such memory corruption issues before deployment in production environments. The remediation approach should involve updating to patched versions of scotty or implementing input sanitization measures to prevent buffer overflow conditions in similar utilities.