CVE-2008-3116 in 5th street
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in dx8render.dll in Snail Game (aka Suzhou Snail Electronic Company) 5th street (aka Hot Step or High Street 5) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a chat message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3116 represents a critical format string vulnerability within the dx8render.dll component of Suzhou Snail Electronic Company's 5th street game, also known as Hot Step or High Street 5. This gaming application, which was popular in the early 2000s, suffered from a fundamental flaw in its input validation mechanisms that allowed malicious actors to exploit the application's handling of formatted strings during chat message processing. The vulnerability specifically resides in the rendering subsystem of the game engine, where improper validation of user-supplied data leads to potential code execution.
The technical flaw manifests when the game processes chat messages containing format string specifiers such as %s, %d, or other formatting directives that are typically used to control output formatting. When these specifiers are not properly sanitized or validated, they can be manipulated by attackers to access memory locations, overwrite critical program variables, or even inject and execute malicious code within the context of the running game process. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-134 category of Format String Vulnerability, which is classified as a serious weakness in software security practices. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no local privileges and can be exploited remotely through chat functionality, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to compromise gaming environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain complete control over affected systems running the vulnerable game client. Since the vulnerability exists in a widely distributed gaming application, the potential attack surface is extensive, encompassing millions of users who may be unknowingly exposed to remote code execution capabilities. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to user accounts, data theft, system compromise, and potentially serve as a foothold for further attacks within network environments where the vulnerable software is installed. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries leverage vulnerable applications to execute malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-3116 require immediate patching of the vulnerable software components, as the original vendor has since discontinued support for this legacy application. Users should avoid running the vulnerable version and instead seek updated alternatives or ensure that proper input validation is implemented in any custom chat systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the dangers of using insecure coding practices in application development, particularly when dealing with user-supplied data that is subsequently processed through formatting functions. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that legacy applications are properly decommissioned to prevent further exposure to known vulnerabilities.