CVE-2006-1046 in Monopd
Summary
by MITRE
server.cpp in Monopd 0.9.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU and memory consumption) via a string containing a large number of characters that are escaped when Monopd produces XML output.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1046 affects Monopd version 0.9.3, a server application that generates XML output. This issue represents a classic denial of service vulnerability stemming from inadequate input validation and processing of escape sequences within XML generation routines. The flaw manifests when the server receives a specially crafted string containing an excessive number of escaped characters, which then triggers resource exhaustion during XML serialization processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the server.cpp file where XML output is produced. When Monopd encounters input strings with numerous escape sequences, the processing routine fails to properly handle or limit the expansion that occurs during XML encoding. Each escaped character typically requires additional processing overhead and can exponentially increase the memory footprint and CPU utilization during serialization. The vulnerability specifically targets the XML output generation mechanism where escape sequences are processed, creating a scenario where legitimate input can be transformed into resource-intensive operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to consume excessive system resources through carefully constructed input payloads. The attack vector is straightforward requiring only the transmission of a specially formatted string to the vulnerable server, which then processes this input through its XML generation routines. The resulting resource consumption can lead to complete system unavailability, making this a significant concern for services relying on Monopd for XML-based communications. The vulnerability affects both CPU cycles and memory allocation, creating a comprehensive denial of service scenario that can impact system stability and availability.
The underlying cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-770, which addresses allocation of resources without proper limits or monitoring, and CWE-400, which covers unchecked resource consumption. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, specifically targeting network denial of service through resource exhaustion. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices where escape sequence processing lacks proper bounds checking and resource limitation mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper input validation, limit maximum string lengths, and apply rate limiting to prevent exploitation of this class of vulnerability. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual resource consumption patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking in XML escape sequence processing and ensuring that resource allocation during XML generation is properly monitored and limited to prevent unbounded growth in computational requirements.