CVE-2002-2381 in GTetrinet
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in (1) tetrinet_inmessage, (2) speclist_add and (3) config-getthemeinfo of GTetrinet 0.4.3 and earlier allow remote attackers to casue a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2381 represents a critical security flaw affecting GTetrinet version 0.4.3 and earlier implementations. This vulnerability manifests through three distinct buffer overflow conditions within the software's core functionality, specifically within the tetrinet_inmessage function, speclist_add function, and config-getthemeinfo function. These buffer overflows occur when the application processes incoming network data without proper bounds checking, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical nature of these buffer overflows aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the network message processing pipeline of GTetrinet, which is a multiplayer tetris client implementation. When maliciously crafted network packets are sent to the vulnerable application, they can trigger memory corruption that leads to unpredictable behavior and system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to systems running affected versions of GTetrinet. The primary impact includes denial of service conditions where legitimate users cannot access the service due to application crashes or system instability. However, the potential for arbitrary code execution makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as attackers could leverage these buffer overflows to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. The attack vector requires only network connectivity to the vulnerable service, making it accessible to remote threat actors without requiring physical access or elevated privileges.
The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity breaches. Attackers exploiting these buffer overflows could execute malicious code with the privileges of the running application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services, and demonstrates how seemingly benign network applications can serve as attack vectors for more sophisticated compromises. The vulnerability affects the application's network communication stack and configuration handling mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where the service is accessible to untrusted network participants.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for suspicious network activity. System administrators should prioritize updating to patched versions of GTetrinet, as the vulnerability affects core network processing functions that are essential for the application's operation. Additionally, implementing network-based intrusion detection systems and applying firewall rules to restrict access to affected services can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and bounds checking in network applications, particularly those handling untrusted data from remote sources, and serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices in client-server applications.