CVE-2003-0612 in Crafty
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in main.c for Crafty 19.3 allow local users to gain group "games" privileges via long command line arguments to crafty.bin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0612 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Crafty chess engine version 19.3, specifically within the main.c source file. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation when processing command line arguments, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can exceed the allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory regions. The flaw is particularly concerning as it affects a network service or application that operates with elevated privileges, specifically targeting the group "games" permissions which typically provide access to gaming resources and system components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking in the command line argument parsing routine. When the crafty.bin executable processes user-supplied arguments, it fails to validate the length of input parameters before copying them into fixed-size buffers. This allows an attacker to supply command line arguments that exceed the buffer capacity, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the games group. The vulnerability is classified as a classic stack-based buffer overflow according to CWE-121, which falls under the broader category of CWE-787 - "Out-of-bounds Write" and represents a fundamental weakness in input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise systems running the Crafty chess engine. Since the application operates with group "games" privileges, successful exploitation could enable adversaries to access gaming resources, modify game files, or potentially escalate privileges further within the system. The local nature of this vulnerability means that exploitation requires physical or network access to the target system, but the low barrier to entry and high privilege target make it particularly attractive to attackers. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 - "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and represents a common attack vector in the exploitation of legacy applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0612 should focus on immediate patching of the Crafty chess engine to version 19.4 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections. System administrators should implement input validation measures that enforce strict bounds checking on all command line arguments and consider implementing privilege separation techniques where the application runs with minimal required privileges. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that the crafty.bin executable does not operate with group "games" privileges unless absolutely necessary. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual command line argument patterns can provide additional detection capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing address space layout randomization and stack canary protections to make exploitation more difficult. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices in preventing buffer overflow exploits that remain prevalent in legacy software systems.