CVE-2006-6141 in Tftpd32
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Tftpd32 3.01 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a long GET or PUT request, which is not properly handled when the request is displayed in the title of the gauge window.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6141 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Tftpd32 version 3.01, a widely used Trivial File Transfer Protocol server implementation. This issue resides in the application's handling of client requests, specifically when processing GET and PUT operations that are displayed in the graphical user interface's gauge window title. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking mechanisms that fail to properly manage the length of incoming requests, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt service availability.
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. In the context of Tftpd32, when a maliciously crafted GET or PUT request exceeds the allocated buffer size for display in the gauge window title, the application fails to properly terminate or truncate the input data. This results in memory corruption that can lead to application instability, unexpected termination, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the memory layout and the specific execution environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during the display handling phase rather than during actual file transfer operations, making it less obvious to traditional network monitoring systems.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability directly enables remote denial of service attacks against systems running vulnerable versions of Tftpd32. Attackers can simply send a specially crafted request containing an excessive amount of data to trigger the buffer overflow condition, causing the application to crash or become unresponsive. This affects network infrastructure and file serving capabilities, particularly in environments where Tftpd32 serves as a critical component for software deployment, firmware updates, or network boot operations. The vulnerability is especially problematic in enterprise environments where such services are relied upon for critical network operations, as it can lead to significant service disruption and potential business impact.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6141 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent versions of Tftpd32. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while also considering network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing input validation mechanisms at network boundaries and deploying intrusion detection systems can help identify and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in network services, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, and emphasizes the need for robust software development practices that prevent buffer overflow conditions in server applications.