CVE-2005-2295 in NetPanzer
Summary
by MITRE
NetPanzer 0.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a packet with a zero datablock size.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2295 affects NetPanzer version 0.8 and earlier, representing a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited remotely by attackers. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the network packet processing mechanism of the software, specifically when handling data blocks within network packets. The vulnerability manifests when a maliciously crafted packet containing a zero-sized datablock is transmitted to the affected system, causing the application to enter an infinite loop during packet processing.
The technical flaw resides in the packet parsing logic where the software fails to properly validate the size parameter of datablocks within incoming network packets. When a packet with a zero datablock size is received, the processing routine lacks proper boundary checks and validation mechanisms that would normally prevent such malformed data from causing system instability. This condition creates a scenario where the application's packet handling loop continuously iterates without proper termination conditions, effectively consuming system resources and rendering the service unavailable to legitimate users.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network availability and system reliability. The infinite loop condition causes the affected NetPanzer service to become unresponsive, requiring manual intervention for system recovery. The remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger this condition from any network location without requiring local access or authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the software operates as a server. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affecting network performance and availability for legitimate users who depend on the service.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-691, concerning inadequate input validation leading to infinite loops. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service and represents a classic example of a resource exhaustion attack. The flaw does not require privilege escalation or complex exploitation techniques, making it accessible to attackers with basic network knowledge.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the NetPanzer software to version 0.8.1 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Network administrators should implement packet filtering rules to block malformed packets that contain zero-sized datablocks, particularly at network boundaries and firewalls. Additionally, implementing monitoring systems to detect unusual processing patterns or resource consumption spikes can help identify exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes validating all incoming packet data against expected size ranges, implementing timeouts for packet processing operations, and ensuring proper error handling mechanisms are in place to prevent infinite loop conditions. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious network traffic patterns consistent with this vulnerability.