CVE-2008-1610 in TFTP Server Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in TallSoft Quick TFTP Server Pro 2.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via a long mode field in a read or write request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1610 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within TallSoft Quick TFTP Server Pro version 2.1. This issue resides in the Trivial File Transfer Protocol implementation where the server fails to properly validate the length of the mode field in read or write requests. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms that allow malicious actors to craft specially crafted packets containing excessively long mode field values. When the server processes these malformed requests, it attempts to copy the oversized data into a fixed-size stack buffer without proper bounds checking, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited for arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack overflow attack pattern where an attacker crafts a TFTP read or write request with an abnormally long mode field parameter. The mode field in TFTP requests typically specifies the transfer mode such as netascii, octet, or mail, but in this case, the server implementation does not enforce reasonable length limits. This design flaw creates a condition where the buffer overflow occurs when the server attempts to process the oversized mode field, potentially overwriting adjacent stack memory including return addresses and function pointers. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the broader category of CWE-119 Improper Access to Memory Locations, indicating a fundamental weakness in memory management and input validation practices.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network infrastructure security as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the TFTP server process. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service since successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to network resources, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where TFTP servers are used for legitimate file transfers, configuration management, or firmware updates, as attackers could exploit this weakness to compromise network devices or servers that rely on TFTP functionality. Network security teams must consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat given its remote exploitability and potential for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1610 should include immediate patching of the TallSoft Quick TFTP Server Pro software to version 2.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for input validation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of TFTP servers to trusted networks only, as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's network segmentation principles. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual TFTP traffic patterns and malformed requests that could indicate exploitation attempts. Security administrators should consider disabling TFTP services entirely if they are not required for business operations, following the principle of least privilege and attack surface reduction. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and bounds checking in network services, which aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for secure system development and operation.