CVE-2002-1146 in BIND
Summary
by MITRE
The BIND 4 and BIND 8.2.x stub resolver libraries, and other libraries such as glibc 2.2.5 and earlier, libc, and libresolv, use the maximum buffer size instead of the actual size when processing a DNS response, which causes the stub resolvers to read past the actual boundary ("read buffer overflow"), allowing remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1146 represents a classic buffer overflow flaw affecting DNS stub resolver implementations across multiple critical system libraries. This issue specifically impacts BIND 4 and BIND 8.2.x stub resolver libraries, alongside fundamental system libraries including glibc 2.2.5 and earlier versions, libc, and libresolv. The flaw occurs during DNS response processing when these libraries incorrectly utilize maximum buffer size parameters instead of the actual response size, creating a condition where memory boundaries are exceeded during data handling operations. This fundamental design error creates a read buffer overflow scenario that can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt system operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper boundary checking within DNS resolution routines. When a DNS response is received, the stub resolver libraries allocate memory buffers based on maximum expected sizes rather than actual response dimensions. This approach becomes problematic when processing malformed or specially crafted DNS responses that exceed normal processing boundaries. The buffer overflow occurs because the code does not validate that the actual response data fits within the allocated memory space, allowing subsequent reads to access memory regions beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This behavior directly aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, though the specific manifestation here involves read operations rather than write operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests primarily as denial of service conditions that can cause system crashes and application instability. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious DNS responses that trigger the buffer overflow condition, resulting in system crashes of applications relying on affected DNS resolver libraries. The vulnerability affects a broad spectrum of system components since it resides in fundamental system libraries rather than application-specific code, meaning that numerous network services and applications could be impacted. This widespread exposure makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can affect not only DNS clients but also any application that depends on standard resolver libraries for network name resolution operations. The attack vector requires only the ability to influence DNS responses, which can be achieved through various means including DNS spoofing, man-in-the-middle attacks, or compromised DNS servers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1146 focus on both immediate patching and architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The most effective approach involves updating to patched versions of affected software including BIND 8.2.3 and later, glibc 2.2.6 and later, and other affected resolver libraries. System administrators should prioritize patching across all affected systems, particularly those serving as DNS clients or hosting applications that depend on vulnerable resolver implementations. Additionally, implementing DNS security measures such as DNSSEC validation can help prevent exploitation by ensuring response integrity. Network-level protections including DNS filtering and monitoring can detect anomalous DNS response patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving denial of service and privilege escalation through system component manipulation, making it particularly relevant to defensive strategies focused on system hardening and network monitoring. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and boundary checking in system libraries, reinforcing principles from the software security development lifecycle that emphasize secure coding practices and thorough testing of memory management operations.