CVE-2007-4425 in Live for Speed
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Live for Speed (LFS) demo, S1, and S2 allow remote authenticated users to (1) cause a denial of service (server crash) and probably execute arbitrary code via an ID 3 packet with a long nickname field, and (2) cause a denial of service (server crash) via an ID 10 packet containing a long string corresponding to an unavailable track.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4425 affects Live for Speed gaming demo versions S1 and S2, representing a critical buffer overflow issue that impacts the server-side components of this racing simulation software. This vulnerability exists within the network protocol implementation where the game server fails to properly validate input data received from authenticated clients, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by remote attackers. The affected versions demonstrate a fundamental flaw in input sanitization mechanisms that directly violates secure coding practices and represents a classic example of improper input validation as classified under CWE-121. The vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit different packet types within the game's communication protocol.
The primary exploitation scenario involves sending an ID 3 packet with an excessively long nickname field that exceeds the allocated buffer size in the server's memory allocation. This specific buffer overflow condition occurs when the server attempts to process the malformed packet and copy the oversized nickname data into a fixed-size buffer without proper bounds checking. The second vulnerability presents itself through ID 10 packets containing overly long strings corresponding to unavailable track names, which similarly triggers buffer overflow conditions during packet processing. Both attack vectors demonstrate the same underlying architectural weakness in the software's memory management and input handling procedures. These vulnerabilities align with ATT&CK technique T1203 by enabling adversaries to execute arbitrary code through memory corruption attacks, while also supporting T1499 for denial of service operations.
The operational impact of these buffer overflows extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable full system compromise. When exploited successfully, the first vector can cause immediate server crashes while simultaneously providing potential code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain control over the gaming server. The second vector primarily results in denial of service conditions but still represents a significant security weakness that undermines the integrity of the gaming environment. Both scenarios affect the availability and reliability of the Live for Speed service, potentially disrupting multiplayer gaming sessions and creating opportunities for persistent attacks against the gaming infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems where the server software is deployed and accessible over network connections, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple players interact through shared gaming servers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4425 should focus on implementing proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms throughout the server software. The most effective approach involves modifying the server code to enforce strict limits on packet field sizes and implementing robust error handling for malformed data. System administrators should apply immediate patches or updates from the software vendor to address the identified buffer overflow conditions. Network-level protections including firewall rules and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of defensive programming practices and highlights the need for regular security assessments of network protocols. Additionally, implementing proper memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure and reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.