CVE-2006-3125 in gtetrinet
Summary
by MITRE
Array index error in tetrinet.c in gtetrinet 0.7.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a packet specifying a negative number of players, which is used as an array index.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3125 represents a classic array bounds violation that occurs within the tetrinet client software version 0.7.8 and earlier. This flaw exists in the tetrinet.c source file where the application fails to properly validate input data received from network connections. When a malicious remote attacker sends a specially crafted packet containing a negative number representing the count of players, the application processes this value directly as an array index without proper bounds checking or validation. This fundamental programming error creates a condition where the negative index value gets interpreted as a valid array position, leading to unpredictable memory access patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the network packet processing routine. According to CWE-129, this represents an implementation weakness where insufficient validation of array indices allows for out-of-bounds memory access. The flaw operates at the core of network protocol handling where the application assumes all incoming data conforms to expected parameters without performing necessary sanitization checks. When the negative player count is processed, it effectively creates a buffer underflow condition that can be exploited to overwrite memory locations beyond the intended array boundaries. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service conditions. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized control over systems running vulnerable versions of gtetrinet, potentially allowing them to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the network without requiring local access or authentication. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable the execution of arbitrary commands on the target system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the application, potentially causing service disruption while simultaneously providing a path for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves updating to a patched version of gtetrinet where proper input validation has been implemented to reject negative player count values before they are processed as array indices. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks. Additional defensive measures include implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious network packets containing negative values in player count fields, and deploying network monitoring tools that can detect anomalous traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and bounds checking as fundamental security practices that should be applied throughout application development cycles to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify and remediate similar flaws in legacy applications that may not receive regular security updates.