CVE-2005-1401 in Mtp-Target
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the client for Mtp-Target 1.2.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via game messages or other text.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1401 represents a critical format string flaw within the client component of Mtp-Target version 1.2.2 and earlier releases. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and occurs when application code uses user-supplied data directly in format string functions without proper sanitization. The affected Mtp-Target client processes game messages and other text communications from remote sources, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject specially crafted format specifiers into the text fields.
Format string vulnerabilities arise when a program uses user input as a format string parameter in functions such as printf, sprintf, or fprintf without adequate validation or escaping. In the context of Mtp-Target, when the client receives game messages or other textual data from remote servers or peers, it processes this information through format string functions that do not properly validate the input. This allows attackers to manipulate the format string parsing behavior and potentially execute arbitrary code on the victim's system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through network-based communication channels where the client receives untrusted text data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain full control over affected systems. When exploited, the format string vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate the program's memory layout, potentially leading to stack smashing, heap corruption, or direct code injection attacks. The attacker can leverage this vulnerability to overwrite critical program variables, inject malicious code into memory, or even bypass security mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to compromised systems, as it provides a reliable method for achieving remote code execution with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1401 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Mtp-Target client versions to address the format string vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures that prevent format specifiers from being processed as part of user-supplied text data. The solution involves ensuring that all user input passed to format string functions is properly escaped or treated as literal strings rather than format specifiers. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-134 which specifically addresses the use of format strings with user-supplied data, and it can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable client systems, while regular security audits should verify that all text processing functions properly sanitize input data before use in format string operations.