CVE-2005-4203 in LogiSphere
Summary
by MITRE
LogiSphere 0.9.9j does not restrict the number of messages that can be sent, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by sending a large number of messages via the msg command. NOTE: due to lack of appropriate details by the original researcher, it is unclear whether this description accurately reflects the discloser s claim and is distinct from the XSS issue.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4203 affects LogiSphere version 0.9.9j, a web-based application that handles messaging functionality through a msg command interface. This flaw represents a classic denial of service condition where the application fails to implement proper rate limiting or message volume restrictions. The vulnerability manifests when remote attackers can exploit the lack of input validation and control mechanisms to flood the system with an excessive number of messages, ultimately leading to service disruption and unavailability for legitimate users. The absence of message rate limiting and volume constraints creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged to exhaust system resources or trigger application crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and resource management within the LogiSphere application's message handling subsystem. When the msg command receives multiple messages without proper bounds checking, the system processes each message sequentially without implementing any form of traffic shaping or message queuing limits. This architectural weakness allows an attacker to continuously send messages at a rate that overwhelms the application's processing capabilities or exhausts available memory and connection resources. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-400, which encompasses weaknesses related to resource exhaustion and lack of proper input validation, and can be classified under the broader category of insufficient input validation in web applications. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk as it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it attractive to attackers seeking to disrupt services.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4203 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall availability and reliability of the LogiSphere application. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can effectively render the messaging service unusable for legitimate users while consuming system resources that could otherwise support authorized operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer and requires no privileged access or complex exploitation techniques. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1498, which focuses on resource exhaustion attacks targeting application availability. The lack of detailed information from the original researcher regarding whether this issue is distinct from cross-site scripting vulnerabilities adds complexity to the assessment, as it suggests potential overlap with other security weaknesses that could compound the attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive message rate limiting and volume control mechanisms within the LogiSphere application. System administrators should configure appropriate message throttling parameters to prevent any single connection or user from overwhelming the system with excessive messages. The implementation of proper input validation and resource consumption monitoring can help detect and prevent abnormal message patterns that may indicate an active attack. Network-level controls such as rate limiting at the firewall or load balancer can provide additional protection layers. Organizations should also implement logging and alerting mechanisms to monitor for unusual message traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The solution approach should align with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing defense in depth strategies that include both application-level controls and network-level protections. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the messaging infrastructure.