CVE-2005-1641 in ignitionServer
Summary
by MITRE
mod_channel in The Ignition Project ignitionServer 0.3.0 to 0.3.6, and possibly earlier versions, does not allow protected operators to access channels that have been locked out by a key, which allows IRC users to cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1641 affects the ignitionServer software version 0.3.0 through 0.3.6 within The Ignition Project framework. This issue specifically targets the mod_channel module which handles channel operations in the IRC server implementation. The flaw manifests when protected operators attempt to access channels that have been locked out by a key mechanism, creating a scenario where legitimate administrative access is blocked. The vulnerability represents a significant security concern as it directly impacts the operational integrity of IRC networks that rely on this server implementation for their infrastructure.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of channel access control mechanisms within the mod_channel module. When a channel is locked using a key or password protection feature, the system should maintain proper access controls that allow authorized operators to bypass these restrictions for administrative purposes. However, the implementation fails to correctly distinguish between regular users attempting to join locked channels and protected operators who should have elevated privileges to manage such channels. This misconfiguration creates a logical flaw in the access control system where legitimate administrative functions become inaccessible, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader security implications for IRC network management. When protected operators cannot access key-locked channels, they lose the ability to perform essential administrative tasks such as channel cleanup, user management, or emergency interventions during network incidents. This limitation can be particularly devastating in environments where network stability and rapid response to security incidents are critical. The vulnerability essentially creates a scenario where legitimate administrative access is blocked, forcing network operators to either restart services or manually intervene in ways that could compromise system stability and security posture.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient privilege checking where the system fails to properly validate administrative access rights against protected resources. Additionally, this issue can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network disruption through denial of service attacks. The vulnerability creates a condition where attackers can effectively deny service to legitimate operators by exploiting the access control flaw, making it a significant concern for network administrators who rely on proper access controls for system maintenance and security operations. Organizations using this version of ignitionServer should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions, implementing additional access control monitoring, and establishing alternative administrative procedures to maintain operational continuity during potential exploitation attempts.