CVE-2009-3575 in aria2
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in DHTRoutingTableDeserializer.cc in aria2 0.15.3, 1.2.0, and other versions allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via unknown vectors.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3575 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the aria2 download manager software ecosystem. This issue specifically affects versions 0.15.3 and 1.2.0 of the aria2 client, though potentially extends to other releases within the same software family. The vulnerability resides in the DHTRoutingTableDeserializer.cc component which handles deserialization of DHT routing table data, a crucial function for peer-to-peer network operations. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of malformed or specially crafted DHT routing table data received from remote peers, creating a security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the deserialization process. When aria2 processes incoming DHT routing table information, the software fails to properly validate the size and structure of the incoming data before attempting to copy it into fixed-size buffers. This fundamental flaw allows an attacker to craft malicious data packets that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in memory corruption that can trigger program crashes or potentially enable arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring authentication or specialized privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-3575 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for systems that rely on aria2 for automated downloads or network operations. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can cause the aria2 process to crash and terminate unexpectedly, leading to service disruption for legitimate users. More critically, the vulnerability could allow attackers to inject and execute malicious code on systems running vulnerable versions of aria2, potentially providing unauthorized access to the affected systems. This risk is particularly concerning given that aria2 is commonly used in automated download scenarios and server environments where continuous operation is essential.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of unsafe memory handling practices. The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily through network-based exploitation where attackers can send maliciously crafted DHT routing table data to vulnerable aria2 instances. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected versions to the latest stable releases where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and memory boundary checks. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict unnecessary DHT routing table communications, and monitoring should be deployed to detect unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability class.