CVE-2003-0380 in atftpd
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in atftp daemon (atftpd) 0.6.1 and earlier, and possibly later versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0380 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the atftp daemon implementation known as atftpd version 0.6.1 and earlier, with potential exposure in subsequent releases. This vulnerability resides in the handling of filename parameters during tftp file transfer operations, where the daemon fails to properly validate input length before processing user-provided filenames. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms that allow malicious actors to supply excessively long filename strings that exceed the allocated buffer space within the application's memory structure. Such buffer overflow conditions create opportunities for memory corruption that can result in unpredictable application behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious tftp request containing an overly long filename parameter that exceeds the predetermined buffer capacity. When the atftpd daemon processes this malformed input, the excessive data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical program state information including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption can manifest as application crashes, leading to denial of service conditions that prevent legitimate users from accessing tftp services. In more severe scenarios where attackers can carefully control the overflow pattern, the vulnerability may enable arbitrary code execution within the context of the atftpd process, potentially allowing full system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0380 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access. Organizations relying on atftp services for network boot operations, firmware updates, or remote file transfers face significant risk from this vulnerability. The attack vector requires only network access to the affected tftp service, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without authentication. The vulnerability affects systems where atftpd is deployed as a daemon service, commonly found in network infrastructure devices, embedded systems, and network management environments that depend on tftp for file transfer operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate software updates to versions that address the buffer overflow flaw through proper input validation and bounds checking. System administrators should prioritize patching affected atftpd installations and consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of tftp services to trusted networks only. Additional protective measures include configuring firewalls to restrict tftp service access, monitoring network traffic for suspicious filename patterns, and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers, and corresponds to attack techniques within the ATT&CK framework under T1195 for content injection and T1499 for endpoint denial of service, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat landscape this vulnerability presents to enterprise security postures.