CVE-2002-1916 in Pirch
Summary
by MITRE
Pirch and RusPirch, when auto-log is enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a nickname containing an MS-DOS device name such as AUX, which is inserted into a filename for saving queries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1916 affects Pirch and RusPirch internet relay chat client software versions that support auto-log functionality. This security flaw represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that exploits the improper handling of specially crafted nicknames containing MS-DOS device names. The vulnerability specifically targets the auto-log feature which automatically saves chat queries to files, creating a pathway for remote attackers to disrupt service availability.
The technical flaw stems from the software's inadequate input validation mechanisms when processing user nicknames that contain MS-DOS device names such as AUX, CON, PRN, LPT1, COM1, and similar reserved identifiers. When these malicious nicknames are processed by the auto-log functionality, the software attempts to create files with these names, which are invalid or reserved in the MS-DOS file system. The system crashes or becomes unresponsive when attempting to handle these invalid file operations, resulting in a complete service disruption.
This vulnerability operates under the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Denial of Service" and specifically relates to the weakness category of improper input validation. The flaw is classified as a CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize user-provided data before processing it. The attack vector is remote, meaning an attacker can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption. When exploited, it can cause complete application crashes, requiring system administrators to restart services manually and potentially leading to loss of chat logs or communication history. The vulnerability affects the availability aspect of the CIA triad, specifically targeting the service availability of the IRC client software. In environments where continuous communication is critical, such as corporate networks or online communities, this denial of service can result in significant operational disruption and potential loss of business continuity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper input validation to filter out or sanitize MS-DOS device names from user nicknames before they are processed by the auto-log functionality. System administrators should disable or configure auto-log features to prevent automatic file creation with user-provided names. The software should be updated to versions that properly handle reserved file system identifiers and implement robust error handling mechanisms. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual patterns of service disruption that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the impact of such attacks and ensure that critical communication services maintain redundancy and failover capabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization, particularly when dealing with file system operations that involve user-supplied data.