CVE-2009-0289 in TFTPUtil
Summary
by MITRE
k23productions TFTPUtil GUI 1.2.0 and 1.3.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (service crash) via a long filename in a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0289 affects k23productions TFTPUtil GUI versions 1.2.0 and 1.3.0, representing a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests as a denial of service attack. This flaw resides in the handling of filename parameters within TFTP requests, where the application fails to properly validate or limit the length of incoming filename data. The vulnerability operates through a remote attack vector, allowing malicious actors to craft specially formatted TFTP requests containing excessively long filenames that trigger memory corruption within the application's processing logic. The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. When the application processes a crafted request with an oversized filename, it attempts to allocate memory for the filename string without adequate validation, leading to stack corruption that ultimately results in application termination and service unavailability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader network availability concerns, particularly in environments where TFTP services are critical for network operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to systematically crash TFTPUtil GUI services, potentially affecting network device configuration updates, firmware deployments, or other TFTP-dependent operations. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in MITRE ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks targeting services and protocols. Organizations relying on these specific TFTPUtil GUI versions face significant risk during network maintenance windows or when deploying automated configuration management systems that depend on TFTP functionality. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network services may be exposed to untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0289 should prioritize immediate remediation through version updates from the vendor, as the vulnerability represents an outdated implementation that has likely been addressed in subsequent releases. Network administrators should implement restrictive access controls to limit TFTP service exposure, particularly when the service operates on network segments accessible to untrusted parties. The application should be configured to operate within restricted network zones or behind firewalls that limit TFTP traffic to authenticated and trusted sources only. Additionally, implementing network monitoring to detect unusual TFTP traffic patterns or malformed requests can serve as an early warning system for potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider deploying intrusion detection systems with signatures specifically targeting TFTP protocol anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive network service inventories to identify all instances of vulnerable TFTPUtil GUI versions and ensure proper patch management processes are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in other network services. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in network applications, particularly those handling user-supplied data through network protocols.