CVE-2004-1919 in Crackalaka
Summary
by MITRE
The hash_strcmp function in hasch.c in Crackalaka 1.0.8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via large malformed strings.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1919 resides within the hash_strcmp function implementation in the hasch.c file of Crackalaka version 1.0.8. This particular flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing malformed input strings during hash comparison operations. The affected software library, Crackalaka, is designed for password cracking and hash verification tasks, making it a critical component in security assessment tools and penetration testing environments. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the hash_strcmp function receives input strings that exceed predefined buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption and subsequent application instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the improper handling of string length validation within the hash_strcmp function. When an attacker submits a large malformed string to the function, the code fails to properly validate the input size before performing string operations. This absence of input sanitization creates a condition where the program attempts to read beyond allocated memory boundaries, causing unpredictable behavior including segmentation faults and application crashes. The flaw operates at the intersection of improper input validation and buffer management, aligning with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability represents a direct consequence of insufficient bounds checking in string manipulation routines, making it particularly dangerous in network-facing applications where untrusted input is common.
From an operational perspective, this denial of service vulnerability significantly impacts the reliability and availability of systems utilizing Crackalaka 1.0.8. Attackers can exploit this weakness to disrupt legitimate service operations by causing repeated crashes, effectively rendering the application unusable for its intended security purposes. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it undermines the integrity of security testing procedures that depend on stable tool performance. In enterprise environments where password cracking utilities are used for security audits and penetration testing, such a vulnerability creates a window of opportunity for adversaries to disrupt security operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access to cause disruption, making it particularly concerning for networked systems where the tool might be exposed to untrusted users or automated scanning tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of Crackalaka to version 1.0.9 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement input validation measures that enforce strict bounds checking on all string operations within the hash_strcmp function. The remediation process should include thorough code review of similar functions throughout the application to identify potential duplicate vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and buffer management in security tools, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers denial of service attacks. Organizations should also establish secure coding practices that emphasize the principle of least privilege and input sanitization to prevent similar issues in future development cycles.