CVE-2002-1542 in TFTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
SolarWinds TFTP server 5.0.55 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a large UDP datagram, possibly triggering a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1542 affects SolarWinds TFTP server versions 5.0.55 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers to cause denial of service conditions. This flaw specifically targets the TFTP server component within SolarWinds' network monitoring suite, which is widely deployed across enterprise environments for file transfer operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the server's UDP handling code, making it susceptible to maliciously crafted network packets that can trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the transmission of oversized UDP datagrams to the affected TFTP server instance. When the server receives these large datagrams, the insufficient buffer size checking and memory allocation handling causes the application to crash or become unresponsive. This behavior represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where the server's memory management fails to properly handle data that exceeds predetermined buffer boundaries. The vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that may occur during the processing of oversized UDP payloads. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt network operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise the availability of critical network infrastructure components. Organizations relying on SolarWinds TFTP server for network management tasks may experience complete service outages, potentially affecting network monitoring, configuration management, and other essential operational functions. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from outside the network perimeter, increasing the attack surface and reducing the effectiveness of traditional network segmentation controls. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption through service exhaustion or denial of service attacks, and T1566.001 for initial access via network services that can be leveraged for broader compromise.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to SolarWinds TFTP server versions that address this vulnerability, typically those released after the vulnerability disclosure. Network segmentation strategies should be enhanced to limit access to TFTP server instances, and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for unusual UDP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing rate limiting and packet filtering rules can help reduce the effectiveness of potential denial of service attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management in network services, as well as the necessity of regular security updates and vulnerability assessments to maintain robust network security postures.