CVE-2005-2763 in OpenTTD
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in OpenTTD before 0.4.0.1 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2763 represents a critical security flaw affecting OpenTTD versions prior to 0.4.0.1, a popular open-source simulation game that allows players to build and manage transportation networks. This vulnerability manifests as multiple format string vulnerabilities within the software's codebase, which are particularly dangerous due to their potential to cause both denial of service conditions and arbitrary code execution. The affected versions of OpenTTD were widely distributed and used, making this vulnerability a significant concern for users and system administrators who had not yet updated to the patched version.
Format string vulnerabilities occur when a program uses user-supplied input as part of a format string without proper validation or sanitization. In the context of OpenTTD, these vulnerabilities likely existed in functions that handle network communication, file parsing, or user input processing where format specifiers were directly used with untrusted data. When attackers could manipulate these input fields, they could craft malicious payloads that would cause the application to interpret memory contents as format specifiers, leading to information disclosure, crashes, or potentially arbitrary code execution. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the CVE description suggest that multiple attack surfaces within the application could be exploited, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be triggered through various user interactions or network communications.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2763 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable remote code execution, which aligns with the attack pattern described in the attack tree framework. This vulnerability could be exploited by remote attackers without requiring local access, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when the application was configured to accept network connections. The denial of service aspect would immediately disrupt gameplay and server operations, while the potential for arbitrary code execution could allow attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-134 within the CWE database, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where format strings are constructed from user-controlled data. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that OpenTTD's networking capabilities could be leveraged to deliver malicious payloads, following the ATT&CK technique of remote service exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2763 primarily involve immediate software updates to version 0.4.0.1 or later, which would contain the necessary patches to address the format string vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, particularly for servers running OpenTTD. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper error handling in software development, especially in applications that process external data. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their OpenTTD installations and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network intrusion detection systems could help identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, while regular patch management processes should be established to ensure timely updates to all software components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in preventing format string attacks that could lead to complete system compromise.