CVE-2005-0211 in Squid
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in wccp.c in Squid 2.5 before 2.5.STABLE7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long WCCP packet, which is processed by a recvfrom function call that uses an incorrect length parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0211 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Squid web proxy software version 2.5 prior to 2.5.STABLE7. This issue specifically affects the wccp.c component responsible for handling Web Cache Coordination Protocol packets. The flaw occurs when the software processes incoming WCCP packets through a recvfrom function call that employs an incorrect length parameter, creating a condition where maliciously crafted packets can exceed the allocated buffer boundaries. Such buffer overflows typically arise from inadequate input validation and improper memory management practices within network protocol handlers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow scenario where the recvfrom system call receives data without proper bounds checking against the allocated buffer space. When a remote attacker sends a WCCP packet exceeding the expected buffer size, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical program state information. This condition creates opportunities for both denial of service attacks that crash the proxy service and more severe exploitation scenarios that could allow arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because WCCP packets are typically sent by network infrastructure devices and may be processed automatically without user intervention, making the attack surface broader than typical user-triggered exploits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access. A successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the Squid proxy process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The denial of service aspect alone can severely impact network operations, as Squid serves as a critical caching and proxy service for many organizations. Network administrators may experience unexpected service outages, and the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns targeting web infrastructure. The flaw affects systems where Squid is configured to accept WCCP traffic, which includes many enterprise network environments that utilize load balancing and caching solutions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0211 require immediate implementation of software updates to version 2.5.STABLE7 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit WCCP traffic to trusted sources only, as this reduces the attack surface for unauthorized exploitation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual WCCP packet patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a common pattern exploited in network service attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and denial of service, with potential progression to privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised networks. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed WCCP packets that exceed expected size parameters.