CVE-2008-6713 in WIC
Summary
by MITRE
World in Conflict (WIC) 1.008 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (access violation and crash) via a zero-byte data block to TCP port 48000, which triggers a NULL pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6713 affects World in Conflict version 1.008 and earlier, presenting a significant remote denial of service weakness that can be exploited by attackers to crash the game client. This issue manifests when a malicious actor sends a specially crafted zero-byte data block to TCP port 48000, which serves as the game's primary network communication port. The flaw represents a classic NULL pointer dereference vulnerability that occurs during the processing of network packets, specifically when the game engine attempts to handle malformed data without proper validation mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the network protocol handling code of the game client. When the application receives a zero-byte data block, it fails to properly validate the incoming data structure before attempting to process it, leading to a situation where a NULL pointer is dereferenced during normal operation. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-476, which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions that can lead to application crashes and system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring any authentication or prior access to the system, making it a significant threat vector for attackers seeking to disrupt gameplay or cause service interruption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for both individual players and game servers that host multiplayer sessions. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability results in immediate application termination and access violation errors, effectively preventing users from continuing their gaming sessions. The impact extends beyond simple disruption as it can be used to create a persistent denial of service condition, particularly in multiplayer environments where server stability is crucial for maintaining game sessions. Network administrators and game operators must consider this vulnerability when planning security measures for their gaming infrastructure, as it represents a straightforward method for attackers to destabilize gaming environments.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks that target application availability. This particular attack vector is classified as a remote code execution vulnerability in its potential impact, though it manifests as a denial of service rather than arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms in networked applications, particularly those that process untrusted data from external sources. Security best practices dictate that all network-facing applications should implement robust validation routines to prevent malformed data from causing application crashes or unexpected behavior.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-6713 should focus on both immediate patching and network-level protections. The most effective solution involves updating to World in Conflict version 1.009 or later, which contains the necessary code fixes to properly handle zero-byte data blocks and prevent the NULL pointer dereference condition. Network administrators should also implement firewall rules to filter traffic on TCP port 48000, particularly blocking unexpected zero-byte packets or malformed data that could trigger the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns of network traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper software quality assurance and security testing, particularly for networked applications that handle external data inputs. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious network activity targeting known vulnerable ports and protocols.