CVE-2007-6201 in Wesnoth
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Wesnoth 1.2.x before 1.2.8, and 1.3.x before 1.3.12, allows attackers to cause a denial of service (hang) via a "faulty add-on" and possibly execute other commands via unknown vectors related to the turn_cmd option.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6201 affects the popular turn-based strategy game Wesnoth, specifically versions 1.2.x prior to 1.2.8 and 1.3.x prior to 1.3.12. This represents a significant security flaw that demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper resource management in gaming applications. The vulnerability manifests through faulty add-ons that can cause the game to hang or freeze during gameplay, effectively creating a denial of service condition that disrupts normal user experience and potentially impacts multiplayer gaming sessions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the turn_cmd option within the game's architecture, which appears to lack proper validation mechanisms for addon content. When malicious or malformed add-ons are loaded into the game, they can trigger unexpected behavior in the turn command processing system. This flaw operates at the intersection of software configuration management and game engine security, where third-party content integration creates potential attack vectors. The unspecified nature of the exact execution vectors suggests that the vulnerability may involve multiple pathways through which malicious code or malformed data can be injected into the game's command processing pipeline.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for both single-player and multiplayer gaming environments. The denial of service aspect means that legitimate users cannot continue gameplay, while the potential for command execution indicates that attackers might be able to leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized actions within the game environment. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in multiplayer settings where one user could potentially disrupt gameplay for others or compromise the integrity of the gaming session. The vulnerability demonstrates how gaming applications, particularly those with extensive addon support, can become attack surfaces for more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The security implications extend beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution within the game's runtime environment. This aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack technique framework where initial access through seemingly benign features like addon support can be leveraged for more serious compromises. The vulnerability's classification relates to CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the exact mechanism appears to involve more general input validation failures. Organizations and users should prioritize immediate patching of affected versions, as the vulnerability represents a clear security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt gaming experiences or potentially gain unauthorized access to gaming systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive addon validation systems, restricting third-party content installation, and maintaining current software versions. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in game development, particularly regarding input sanitization and resource management. Regular security assessments of game engines and their addon systems are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks associated with third-party content and the importance of only installing verified addons from trusted sources. The incident highlights the broader challenge of balancing user customization capabilities with security controls in interactive entertainment software.