CVE-2004-2467 in Easy Chat Server
Summary
by MITRE
chat.ghp in Easy Chat Server 1.2 allows remote attackers to add a large number of fake users, then eventually cause a denial of service (server crash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2467 affects Easy Chat Server version 1.2 and specifically targets the chat.ghp component within the software architecture. This flaw represents a classic resource exhaustion attack vector that exploits the server's inadequate input validation mechanisms for user registration processes. The vulnerability stems from the server's failure to implement proper rate limiting or user authentication checks when processing chat user creation requests, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to flood the system with fraudulent user accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the server's user management subsystem where the chat.ghp module processes incoming user registration requests without sufficient validation of the request parameters or source authenticity. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending numerous malformed or duplicate user creation requests that bypass normal authentication procedures, allowing them to register a large number of fake user accounts. The flaw manifests as a lack of proper access control measures and insufficient resource allocation management within the server's memory handling mechanisms.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates a significant denial of service condition that can completely incapacitate the chat server functionality. When attackers successfully flood the server with fake user accounts, they consume system resources such as memory, CPU cycles, and database connections, ultimately leading to server instability and potential crashes. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as the server may become unresponsive to legitimate users, effectively blocking all normal chat operations and potentially causing data corruption or loss of service availability.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400 which categorizes resource exhaustion flaws in software systems, specifically addressing insufficient resource management and lack of input validation controls. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the denial of service category within the MITRE ATT&CK matrix, where adversaries leverage system resource consumption as a primary attack vector. The weakness also demonstrates characteristics of CWE-307 which deals with inadequate access control mechanisms, as the system fails to properly authenticate or authorize user registration requests.
Mitigation strategies should include implementing rate limiting mechanisms to restrict the number of user registration requests per time period, establishing proper input validation and sanitization for all user creation parameters, and deploying authentication checks before accepting new user accounts. Network-level controls such as firewall rules and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block suspicious traffic patterns associated with mass user registration attempts. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that may indicate an ongoing attack. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to address known vulnerabilities, while the server configuration should be reviewed to ensure appropriate resource limits are enforced for user account creation processes.