CVE-2005-0672 in Ca3DE
Summary
by MITRE
Carsten s 3D Engine (Ca3DE), March 2004 version and earlier, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via text strings that are not null terminated, which triggers a null dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0672 affects Carsten s 3D Engine version March 2004 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through improper string handling. This vulnerability resides within the engine's text processing functionality where it fails to properly validate null termination of input strings. The flaw manifests when the engine processes text data that lacks proper null termination, leading to a null dereference condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions that occur when data is written beyond the bounds of a fixed-length buffer. In this specific case, the vulnerability stems from a null dereference scenario where the engine attempts to access memory at address zero when processing improperly terminated strings. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically been exploited in numerous high-profile attacks. The flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation where the engine assumes all input strings are properly null terminated without performing explicit validation checks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to systems utilizing the affected Ca3DE engine, particularly those exposed to untrusted network traffic or user input. Attackers can craft malicious text strings that bypass normal input validation and trigger the null dereference condition, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the engine might be processing user-generated content or network data. This type of vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads within the compromised environment.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches when exploited successfully. Organizations using affected versions of the engine should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest available version, input validation restrictions, and network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper string handling and null termination validation in security-critical applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script injection. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the necessity of robust input sanitization and memory safety practices as outlined in security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, emphasizing that proper validation of all input data is essential to prevent such exploitable conditions.