CVE-2009-3637 in Alien Arena
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the M_AddToServerList function in client/menu.c in Red Planet Arena Alien Arena 7.30 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a packet with a crafted server description to UDP port 27901 followed by a packet with a long print command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-3637 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting the Red Planet Arena Alien Arena 7.30 client application. This flaw exists within the M_AddToServerList function located in the client/menu.c source file, specifically when processing network packets received on UDP port 27901. The vulnerability manifests when the client receives a malicious packet containing a crafted server description followed by a subsequent packet with an excessively long print command, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory on the stack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the improper handling of user-supplied data within the client-side packet processing logic. When the M_AddToServerList function processes the initial packet with the crafted server description, it fails to properly validate or limit the length of the input data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This inadequate bounds checking creates a predictable memory corruption scenario where the overflow can overwrite return addresses, saved registers, and other critical stack data structures. The vulnerability specifically targets the client application's network handling code, making it exploitable through remote network communication without requiring local system access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to the security of Alien Arena clients, as it allows remote code execution with the privileges of the affected user. The attack requires two separate packets to be sent to UDP port 27901, making it a more complex exploitation scenario but still achievable through network-based attacks. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, install malware, or establish persistent access to vulnerable systems. The vulnerability affects all users running Alien Arena 7.30 client software, making it particularly dangerous in multiplayer gaming environments where users frequently connect to public servers.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack memory. This flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the overflow could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised client process. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1203, which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected software to version 7.31 or later, network segmentation to block UDP port 27901 traffic, and implementing network intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious packet patterns. Users should also consider disabling automatic server listing features and avoiding connection to untrusted servers until the vulnerability is properly addressed through official updates.