CVE-2009-2174 in GUPnP
Summary
by MITRE
GUPnP 0.12.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via an empty (1) subscription or (2) control message.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2174 affects GUPnP version 0.12.7, a middleware framework for creating UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) devices and control points. This issue represents a denial of service flaw that can be exploited by remote attackers to crash the affected system. The vulnerability specifically targets the subscription and control message processing mechanisms within the GUPnP implementation, where the software fails to properly handle empty message payloads. The flaw exists in the protocol handling layer of the UPnP stack, which is responsible for managing device discovery, service description, and control operations across networked devices. When an attacker sends a malformed message containing empty subscription or control data, the application crashes due to improper input validation and error handling.
This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, specifically manifesting as a failure to check for empty or malformed messages during the UPnP message processing cycle. The technical implementation flaw occurs in the message parsing and validation routines where the software assumes all incoming messages contain valid data without proper null or empty checks. The attack vector is remote and does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as any network-accessible GUPnP service could be targeted. The vulnerability impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad by allowing an attacker to disrupt service operations through deliberate system crashes. According to ATT&CK framework, this maps to T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1595.001 for network scanning and enumeration that could lead to exploitation. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the code does not implement proper error handling for malformed network traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect entire networked ecosystems that rely on UPnP for device management and communication. When exploited, the denial of service condition can cause cascading failures in home networks or enterprise environments where UPnP services are critical for device discovery and control. The crash occurs in the core processing components of GUPnP, meaning that even legitimate users may experience service interruptions when attackers exploit this weakness. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying and mitigating this vulnerability without disrupting normal operations, as the attack can occur silently in the background. The vulnerability also exposes the broader risk of insufficient input sanitization in middleware components that handle network protocols, particularly those designed for automated service discovery and control. Organizations using GUPnP 0.12.7 should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous UPnP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The most effective mitigation involves upgrading to a patched version of GUPnP that properly validates all incoming subscription and control messages, implements proper null checks, and includes robust error handling mechanisms to prevent crashes from malformed data. Additionally, network-based firewalls can be configured to restrict UPnP traffic where it is not required, and intrusion detection systems can be tuned to alert on suspicious message patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.