CVE-2005-3032 in vxTftpSrv
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in vxTftpSrv 1.7.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a TFTP request with a long filename argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3032 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in vxTftpSrv version 1.7.0, a TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) server implementation. This vulnerability exists within the network service handling of TFTP requests, specifically when processing filename arguments that exceed the allocated buffer space. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the TFTP server's filename parsing routine, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers without authentication requirements.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw occurs when the TFTP server receives a request containing an excessively long filename argument that surpasses the predefined buffer capacity, causing the program to overwrite adjacent memory segments. This memory corruption can result in unpredictable program behavior, including application crashes that manifest as denial of service conditions or more severe exploitation leading to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers can trigger the condition from outside the network perimeter without requiring local access or prior authentication.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on TFTP services for file transfers, particularly in environments where network infrastructure components depend on TFTP for configuration management, firmware updates, or boot operations. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the potential for arbitrary code execution creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware within the network. The vulnerability affects systems where vxTftpSrv is deployed as a TFTP server, which may include network devices, embedded systems, or specialized applications requiring TFTP functionality. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized control over affected systems, potentially compromising entire network segments that rely on TFTP for operational functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3032 should prioritize immediate patching of affected vxTftpSrv installations to version 1.7.1 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections and input validation fixes. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of TFTP services to trusted networks only, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous TFTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed TFTP requests containing oversized filename arguments, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1210 for exploitation of remote services. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in network services, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and code reviews for all network-facing applications to prevent similar buffer overflow conditions in the future.