CVE-2002-1387 in Tracesroute
Summary
by MITRE
The spray mode in traceroute-nanog (aka traceroute-ng) may allow local users to overwrite arbitrary memory locations via an array index overflow using the nprobes (number of probes) argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1387 resides within the traceroute-nanog implementation, specifically affecting the spray mode functionality that is used to send multiple probe packets to determine network paths. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the application fails to properly validate user-supplied input parameters, particularly the nprobes argument that controls the number of probes sent during network tracing operations. The issue manifests when local users manipulate the probe count parameter to trigger an array index overflow, which can potentially lead to arbitrary memory overwrites and system compromise.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The flaw occurs because the traceroute-ng application does not perform adequate bounds checking on the nprobes argument before using it as an array index. When a malicious user provides an excessively large value for nprobes, the application's internal array indexing mechanism fails to validate that the computed index remains within acceptable bounds, resulting in memory corruption. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the context of a network diagnostic tool that may be executed with elevated privileges or by users with network access, creating multiple potential attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides local attackers with the capability to overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, and other control data structures. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running traceroute process, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems or escalate their privileges within the network environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning because traceroute is commonly installed on network devices and servers where it may be accessible to unprivileged users, and the tool's legitimate use cases often require it to run with elevated permissions to access raw network sockets. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious payloads through compromised network utilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1387 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive measures to prevent exploitation. The primary solution involves applying the appropriate security patches that implement proper bounds checking on the nprobes argument and other input parameters within the traceroute-nanog application. Organizations should also consider implementing input validation controls that restrict the maximum allowable value for probe counts, thereby preventing the overflow condition from occurring in the first place. Additional defensive measures include running the traceroute utility with minimal required privileges, implementing network segmentation to limit local access to network diagnostic tools, and monitoring for unusual probe count parameters that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider replacing vulnerable versions with more modern network tracing utilities that have better memory safety controls and are actively maintained to address known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in network utilities, particularly those that operate with elevated privileges or handle user-provided network parameters.