CVE-2005-2375 in Toca Race Driver
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in Race Driver 1.20 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via format string specifiers in a (1) nickname or (2) chat message.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2375 represents a classic format string vulnerability affecting Race Driver 1.20 and earlier versions of the gaming software. This type of flaw occurs when an application improperly handles user-supplied input that contains format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x, which are typically used in printf-style functions to control output formatting. In the context of this gaming application, the vulnerability manifests when players enter specially crafted text into nickname fields or chat message areas, allowing malicious actors to exploit the application's handling of these inputs.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental flaw in how the application processes user input through insecure string formatting functions. When the game processes a nickname or chat message containing format specifiers, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before passing it to functions like printf, sprintf, or similar formatting routines. This oversight enables attackers to inject format specifiers that can cause the application to read from arbitrary memory locations or attempt to write to protected memory regions, leading to application instability and eventual crash. The vulnerability specifically targets the game's user interface components where text input is processed, making it particularly dangerous in multiplayer gaming environments where chat functionality is prevalent.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for both individual players and gaming servers that host Race Driver games. The denial of service condition resulting from application crashes can disrupt gameplay sessions, particularly in competitive multiplayer scenarios where server stability is crucial. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to repeatedly crash client applications or potentially cause server-side instability if the same flaw exists in server-side processing. The impact extends beyond simple disruption as it can be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities in the gaming ecosystem. This type of vulnerability also raises concerns about the overall security posture of older gaming software that may not receive regular security updates or patches.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses the use of format strings in a context where user-provided data can influence the format string itself. This weakness falls under the broader category of input validation failures and demonstrates how seemingly benign user interface elements can become attack vectors. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through application exploitation and denial of service attacks. The lack of proper input sanitization creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layouts and potentially execute arbitrary code, though the current exploitation is limited to causing application crashes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2375 require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures within the application's text processing components. Game developers should implement strict validation of all user input before processing, particularly in fields that support rich text formatting or may contain special characters. The most effective remediation involves using secure string formatting functions that do not rely on user-provided format strings, such as snprintf with explicit length parameters or alternative formatting approaches that prevent format string injection. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and graceful degradation mechanisms can help prevent complete application crashes while maintaining system availability. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the gaming application, ensuring comprehensive protection against format string vulnerabilities that could compromise system integrity and user experience.