CVE-2002-0204 in Chess
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in GNU Chess (gnuchess) 5.02 and earlier, if modified or used in a networked capacity contrary to its own design as a single-user application, may allow local or remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0204 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within GNU Chess version 5.02 and earlier implementations. This issue arises when the application is deployed in networked environments or modified from its intended single-user operational model, creating a security exposure that can be exploited by both local and remote attackers. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes a long command input, exceeding the allocated buffer space and potentially allowing malicious code execution.
This buffer overflow vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes the classic stack-based buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The technical implementation flaw occurs in the command processing subsystem of GNU Chess, where command line arguments are not properly validated for length before being copied into fixed-size buffers. When an attacker provides a command exceeding the buffer capacity, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can be exploited from remote locations when the application is improperly configured for networked use. GNU Chess was originally designed as a single-user application without network capabilities, making its networked deployment an anomalous usage pattern that introduces security risks. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running the gnuchess process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through network connections, making it exploitable from remote locations without requiring physical access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the GNU Chess application to version 5.03 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections. System administrators must ensure proper configuration to prevent networked deployment of the application, as the vulnerability specifically occurs when the application is used contrary to its design specifications. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to systems running potentially vulnerable versions of gnuchess. Additionally, input validation mechanisms should be enhanced to include proper bounds checking on command line arguments, and the application should be configured to run with minimal required privileges. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving buffer overflow exploitation and privilege escalation, while also potentially enabling initial access through network-based attack vectors. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate similar issues in legacy applications that may not have been designed with modern security considerations in mind.