CVE-2004-1523 in Hired Team Trial
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the game console in Hired Team: Trial 2.0 and earlier and 2.200 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via format string specifiers in a message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1523 represents a critical format string flaw within the game console component of Hired Team: Trial 2.0 and earlier versions, as well as 2.200. This weakness resides in the improper handling of user-supplied input during string formatting operations, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation that can result in application instability and system disruption. The affected software operates within a gaming context where user communications are processed through console interfaces, making it susceptible to manipulation by remote attackers who can inject specially crafted format specifiers into message payloads.
This format string vulnerability stems from the software's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters before processing them through formatting functions such as printf or similar string manipulation routines. When the game console receives a message containing format specifiers, the application does not adequately filter or escape these characters, allowing attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the program. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to process user-generated content through insecure string formatting functions, leading to potential memory corruption or stack manipulation that results in application termination.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it demonstrates a fundamental weakness in input validation and sanitization practices within the gaming client software. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw from any location without requiring local access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in multiplayer gaming environments where user communications are frequent and diverse. The vulnerability creates an avenue for attackers to disrupt gameplay sessions, potentially affecting multiple users simultaneously and undermining the overall stability and user experience of the gaming platform. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses the use of format strings from untrusted sources, and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can lead to severe security implications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected software versions to implement proper input validation and sanitization measures. System administrators should ensure that all instances of Hired Team: Trial 2.0 and 2.200 are updated to the latest available versions that address this format string vulnerability. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual message patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while implementing proper access controls and input filtering at network boundaries. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent format string manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability class, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation contexts.