CVE-2005-0499 in Gigafast
Summary
by MITRE
Gigafast router (aka CompUSA router) with the DNS proxy option enabled allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via malformed DNS queries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0499 affects Gigafast routers, also known as CompUSA routers, when the DNS proxy functionality is enabled. This represents a classic denial of service weakness that exploits the router's handling of domain name system queries. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the router's DNS proxy implementation, which fails to properly process malformed DNS requests that could be crafted by remote attackers. The affected device operates as a network gateway and DNS resolver, making it a critical component in home and small office network infrastructures where it translates domain names into IP addresses for network communication. When the DNS proxy feature is active, the router becomes vulnerable to specially crafted malformed DNS queries that can trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying DNS processing code.
The technical flaw manifests when the router's DNS proxy module receives malformed DNS packets that do not conform to standard DNS protocol specifications. These malformed queries can contain invalid packet structures, incorrect length fields, or other protocol violations that the router's processing logic does not adequately handle. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specialized access privileges, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt network services. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 Input Validation and OWASP Top Ten category A03: Injection, as the router fails to properly validate incoming DNS query data before processing. The attack vector can be categorized under MITRE ATT&CK technique T1499.004 Network Denial of Service, which specifically addresses attacks that consume network resources or cause network devices to become unavailable.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can render the entire network inaccessible to users who rely on the router for internet connectivity. When exploited successfully, the malformed DNS queries cause the router's DNS proxy service to crash or become unresponsive, effectively blocking all DNS resolution requests and preventing network users from accessing websites or services that depend on domain name resolution. This type of denial of service attack can have significant business implications for organizations that depend on continuous network availability, as it can result in productivity losses and potential revenue impacts. The vulnerability affects both residential and small business network environments where these routers are commonly deployed, making it particularly widespread in impact. Network administrators may observe intermittent connectivity issues or complete network outages when this vulnerability is exploited, with the affected routers requiring manual restart to restore normal operation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate configuration changes and network monitoring. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling the DNS proxy feature on affected routers when it is not actively required for network operations, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Network administrators should also implement proper network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks. Regular firmware updates from the manufacturer should be applied when available, though in this specific case, the vulnerability dates back to 2005 and may not have received security patches for modern systems. Network monitoring should include detection of malformed DNS traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, with intrusion detection systems configured to alert on unusual DNS query structures. Additionally, implementing DNS caching mechanisms at higher network levels or using dedicated DNS servers can provide alternative resolution paths that bypass the vulnerable router functionality, while maintaining overall network availability during potential attacks.