CVE-2005-1741 in Halo Combat Evolved
Summary
by MITRE
Gearbox Software Halo: Combat Evolved 1.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via malformed data.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1741 affects Gearbox Software's Halo: Combat Evolved version 1.6, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through carefully crafted malformed data inputs. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the game's network protocol handling, specifically when processing data packets from remote clients. The vulnerability manifests as an infinite loop condition that occurs when the game engine encounters malformed data structures during network communication, effectively causing the affected system to become unresponsive and rendering the game inaccessible to legitimate players.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the network protocol parser of the Halo: Combat Evolved client software, where the application fails to properly validate incoming data before processing it within critical execution paths. When malformed data is received through the network connection, the parsing routine enters an infinite loop that consumes excessive CPU resources and prevents the game from continuing normal operation. This flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack and can be exploited by attackers who establish connections to vulnerable game servers or client instances. The vulnerability is classified as a classic denial of service condition that can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous in multiplayer gaming environments where server stability is paramount.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise the gaming experience for legitimate users and potentially affect server availability in competitive multiplayer scenarios. When exploited, the infinite loop causes the affected game client or server to become unresponsive, requiring manual intervention to restore normal operation through process termination or system restarts. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the availability component of the CIA triad and can be leveraged by malicious actors to disrupt gaming sessions, potentially affecting competitive gaming events or online communities that rely on stable server infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access or local privileges, making it particularly concerning for network administrators responsible for maintaining game server availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1741 should focus on implementing proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the network protocol handling code. The most effective approach involves updating the game client and server software to include robust data validation routines that can detect and reject malformed inputs before they reach the vulnerable parsing logic. Network administrators should also consider implementing firewall rules or intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual traffic patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption through denial of service attacks. The fix typically requires patching the game software to include proper bounds checking and error handling for network data processing, ensuring that malformed inputs are gracefully rejected rather than causing system hang conditions. Organizations should also implement regular security updates and maintain awareness of similar vulnerabilities in legacy gaming software that may be running on their networks.