CVE-2009-0650 in TPTEST
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the GetStatsFromLine function in TPTEST 3.1.7 and earlier, and possibly 5.02, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a STATS line with a long pwd field. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0650 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting TPTEST software versions 3.1.7 and earlier, with potential impact extending to version 5.02. This flaw resides within the GetStatsFromLine function, which processes STATS lines containing a pwd field that can be manipulated by remote attackers. The buffer overflow occurs when the pwd field exceeds the allocated stack buffer size, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables both denial of service conditions through application crashes and potential arbitrary code execution, making it a severe security risk for systems utilizing affected TPTEST versions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack buffer overflow pattern where insufficient input validation allows an attacker to write beyond the bounds of a fixed-size buffer allocated on the stack. The GetStatsFromLine function fails to properly validate the length of the pwd field within STATS lines, permitting maliciously crafted input to overflow the buffer and overwrite return addresses, saved registers, or other critical stack data. This type of 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. The flaw demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms in network-facing applications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on TPTEST for network monitoring or statistical analysis functions. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw from any network location to either crash the application and cause denial of service, disrupting legitimate operations, or potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, especially if the TPTEST application runs with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it particularly dangerous in environments where network access is not properly restricted, as attackers can leverage this weakness without physical access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected TPTEST versions to the latest releases that contain proper input validation and buffer management. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to TPTEST services and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious STATS line patterns. Additionally, input validation should be enhanced at multiple layers including application-level bounds checking, network firewalls, and proxy services. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution and T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network applications, as this type of buffer overflow is common in legacy software implementations that lack modern security controls.