CVE-2006-2402 in Outgun
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the changeRegistration function in servernet.cpp for Outgun 1.0.3 bot 2 and earlier allows remote attackers to change the registration information of other players via a long string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2402 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Outgun gaming client software version 1.0.3 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the changeRegistration function located in the servernet.cpp source file, which handles player registration information updates within the game's networking infrastructure. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and bounds checking when processing registration data sent over the network, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to manipulate player accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the changeRegistration function where a fixed-size buffer is used to store incoming registration strings without adequate length verification. When an attacker sends a malformed packet containing an excessively long string, the function fails to validate the input length before copying data into the allocated buffer space. This classic buffer overflow condition allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the program's execution flow or injecting malicious code. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no local system access and can be exploited over the network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account manipulation, as it creates a potential pathway for more severe security breaches within the gaming environment. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to change registration information of other players, potentially gaining unauthorized access to accounts, altering player rankings, or disrupting the game's integrity. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the target system, making it particularly concerning for online gaming platforms where player data and account security are paramount. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of input validation and can lead to arbitrary code execution, data corruption, or denial of service conditions that compromise the entire gaming ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate code-level fixes including implementing proper input validation, utilizing safe string handling functions, and applying bounds checking before memory operations. The recommended approach involves modifying the changeRegistration function to verify string lengths against predefined maximum values before copying data into buffers, implementing proper memory allocation techniques, and employing stack canaries or other buffer protection mechanisms. Security best practices dictate that all user inputs should be treated as untrusted and validated before processing, which aligns with the principles outlined in the CWE-121 category for buffer overflow vulnerabilities. Additionally, network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and packet filtering can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though the primary fix must occur at the application level. Organizations should also consider implementing regular security audits and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their software infrastructure, following the ATT&CK framework's emphasis on preventing and detecting such exploitation techniques.