CVE-2005-1899 in RakNet
Summary
by MITRE
Rakkarsoft RakNet network library 2.33 and earlier, when released before 30 May 2005, and as used in multiple products including nFusion Elite Warriors: Vietnam, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a zero-byte UDP packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1899 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Rakkarsoft RakNet network library version 2.33 and earlier. This issue specifically affects systems that were released prior to May 30, 2005, and impacts multiple gaming products including nFusion Elite Warriors: Vietnam. The flaw manifests when the network library processes zero-byte UDP packets, creating a condition that leads to an infinite loop in the packet handling mechanism. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely by attackers who simply need to send a specially crafted zero-byte UDP packet to trigger the problematic behavior.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the RakNet library's UDP packet processing routines. When the library encounters a zero-byte UDP packet, it fails to properly handle this edge case and instead enters an infinite loop during packet parsing. This occurs because the library's processing logic does not account for packets with zero length, causing it to continuously iterate through processing steps without proper termination conditions. The flaw is classified as a weakness in input validation and can be categorized under CWE-129, which addresses improper handling of length parameters. The infinite loop consumes system resources and effectively renders the affected service unavailable to legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader security implications for networked applications. When exploited, the infinite loop causes the targeted application to become unresponsive, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can be triggered from any remote location without requiring authentication or specialized privileges. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multiplayer gaming environments where persistent connectivity is essential for user experience. The flaw affects not just the specific game mentioned but any application that utilizes the vulnerable RakNet library version, potentially creating a widespread impact across multiple products. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt gameplay sessions, making it difficult for legitimate players to access services while the affected applications remain in a non-responsive state.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and developers. The most effective approach involves upgrading to RakNet library versions that contain proper input validation for zero-byte packets, which would prevent the infinite loop condition from occurring. Organizations should also implement network-level filtering to drop zero-byte UDP packets at the firewall or network boundary level as an interim protective measure. Additionally, application-level monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1498, which covers denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how seemingly benign network conditions can be exploited to create significant operational disruptions. The incident underscores the importance of robust input validation in network libraries and highlights the critical need for regular security updates in distributed applications.