CVE-2007-3245 in IRC Services
Summary
by MITRE
IRC Services before 5.0.62, and 5.1 before 5.1pre3, allows remote attackers to disconnect users with guest nicknames by linking a guest nickname to a nickname that is already registered.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2017
This vulnerability exists in IRC Services software versions prior to 5.0.62 and 5.1pre3, representing a significant security flaw in the nickname management and user disconnection mechanisms. The issue stems from insufficient validation of nickname linking operations, specifically when attempting to associate guest nicknames with already registered nicknames. This weakness allows remote attackers to exploit the system by creating malicious nickname associations that trigger unintended user disconnections.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of nickname linking processes within the IRC Services infrastructure. When a guest nickname is linked to an existing registered nickname, the system fails to properly validate the legitimacy of this operation, enabling attackers to manipulate the service to disconnect legitimate users. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible IRC networks where multiple users interact simultaneously.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user disconnection, as it can be leveraged to disrupt network services and potentially facilitate more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can systematically disconnect users from the network, causing service disruption and potentially creating denial of service conditions. The vulnerability particularly affects network administrators who rely on stable nickname management systems, as it undermines the integrity of user sessions and can be used to target specific users or groups within the network.
This issue aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Flaws, specifically concerning improper access control mechanisms in nickname management systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service. The vulnerability demonstrates a lack of proper input validation and privilege separation in the nickname linking functionality, creating an attack surface that can be exploited to manipulate user sessions and network behavior.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper validation checks for nickname linking operations, ensuring that guest nicknames cannot be maliciously associated with registered nicknames without proper authorization. Network administrators should immediately upgrade to IRC Services versions 5.0.62 or 5.1pre3, which contain patches addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing rate limiting for nickname operations and monitoring for unusual linking patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The fix should include proper access control checks that verify the legitimacy of nickname associations before allowing any linking operations to proceed.