CVE-2007-1645 in TFTP Server 2000
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in FutureSoft TFTP Server 2000 on Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long request on UDP port 69. NOTE: this issue might overlap CVE-2006-4781 or CVE-2005-1812.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1645 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within FutureSoft TFTP Server 2000 running on Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 systems. This issue resides in the Trivial File Transfer Protocol implementation, which is commonly used for transferring files between network devices and servers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the server receives a malformed request on the standard UDP port 69, which is the well-known port designated for TFTP services. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of incoming packets, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to craft specially crafted requests that exceed the allocated buffer space, thereby corrupting adjacent memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow pattern where attackers can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting return addresses or other critical memory locations. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates over UDP port 69, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the target system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially overlaps with other TFTP-related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2006-4781 and CVE-2005-1812, suggesting a pattern of similar implementation flaws in TFTP server software. The attack vector requires only network connectivity to the target system and does not require authentication, making it highly exploitable in networked environments.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the TFTP server process, typically running with system-level privileges on Windows 2000 systems. This creates a severe security risk where attackers can gain complete control over the affected system, potentially using it as a foothold for further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects organizations running legacy Windows 2000 systems with TFTP services enabled, which were common in enterprise environments during the early 2000s. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potential network-wide lateral movement, as attackers can use compromised TFTP servers as stepping stones for broader attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through vendor-provided patches or updates to the FutureSoft TFTP Server software. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to restrict UDP port 69 access to only authorized systems. The use of network intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for unusual TFTP traffic patterns. From a defensive standpoint, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, specifically focusing on file transfer protocols. System administrators should also consider disabling TFTP services entirely if they are not required, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and bounds checking in network services represents a fundamental security practice that should be applied across all server implementations to prevent similar buffer overflow conditions from occurring in the future.