CVE-2002-1191 in Desktop Reservation Software
Summary
by MITRE
The Sabserv client component in Sabre Desktop Reservation Software 4.2 through 4.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via malformed input to TCP port 1001.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1191 affects the Sabserv client component within Sabre Desktop Reservation Software versions 4.2 through 4.4. This represents a critical denial of service weakness that specifically targets the software's handling of network communications through TCP port 1001. The affected system operates within the hospitality and travel industry sector where reservation systems are fundamental to business operations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can disrupt critical services. The flaw exists in how the software processes incoming data packets, specifically when malformed input is received through the designated network port. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of input validation failures, which aligns with CWE-20, indicating improper handling of input data that can lead to system instability and service interruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input sanitization within the Sabserv client component. When remote attackers send malformed data to TCP port 1001, the system fails to properly validate or handle these unexpected inputs, causing the application to crash or become unresponsive. This behavior constitutes a classic denial of service attack vector where legitimate users are unable to access the reservation services. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that TCP port 1001 is likely a well-known service port for the Sabre system, making it easily discoverable and exploitable by malicious actors without requiring extensive reconnaissance. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and inadequate error handling mechanisms that are essential for maintaining system stability in mission-critical applications.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Sabre Desktop Reservation Software for their booking and reservation processes. The denial of service condition can result in complete service disruption, preventing customers from making reservations, checking availability, or accessing their booking information. This type of attack can have substantial financial implications for hospitality businesses, travel agencies, and reservation systems that depend on continuous availability. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions of the software indicates a fundamental design flaw that was not adequately addressed through the software's development lifecycle.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate the affected system from critical network segments, deploying firewalls to block unauthorized access to TCP port 1001, and applying network access controls to limit who can reach the vulnerable service. The remediation approach should involve updating to patched versions of Sabre Desktop Reservation Software where available, though given the age of this vulnerability, such patches may no longer be supported. Organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns on TCP port 1001 and establish incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1499, specifically the disruption of services through denial of service attacks, which emphasizes the need for robust network monitoring and protective measures. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms as outlined in security standards and best practices for software development.