CVE-2010-0749 in transmission
Summary
by MITRE
Transmission before 1.92 allows attackers to prevent download of a file by corrupted data during the endgame.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0749 affects Transmission, a popular BitTorrent client software version 1.92 and earlier. This security flaw represents a denial of service condition that specifically targets the file download process during the final stages of a torrent transfer. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of data corruption detection mechanisms within the client's download management system, creating a scenario where malicious actors can manipulate the download process to prevent successful file completion. The issue manifests when Transmission encounters corrupted data during what should be the final phase of file transfer, allowing attackers to exploit this weakness to interrupt or terminate downloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves Transmission's failure to properly validate data integrity checks during the endgame phase of torrent downloads. During this critical period when the client is verifying and finalizing file segments, the software does not adequately distinguish between legitimate data corruption and maliciously introduced corrupted data. This allows attackers to inject corrupted data packets that cause Transmission to incorrectly interpret the download state, leading to premature termination of the transfer process. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication or elevated system access. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-119 as a weakness related to improper handling of data integrity checks and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network disruption attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0749 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can significantly disrupt legitimate file sharing activities within networks that utilize Transmission. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to target specific files or entire torrent distributions, potentially causing widespread disruption to peer-to-peer file sharing operations. The vulnerability affects both individual users and organizations that rely on Transmission for legitimate file transfers, as it creates a persistent threat that can be exploited repeatedly against vulnerable installations. Network administrators may observe increased failure rates in torrent downloads and potential service degradation across affected systems. The exploitability of this vulnerability is relatively straightforward, requiring only basic network manipulation capabilities to introduce corrupted data into the transmission stream during critical download phases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0749 primarily focus on upgrading to Transmission version 1.93 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved data integrity validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement automated patch management processes to ensure all Transmission installations are updated promptly. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual download failure patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the scope of potential attacks by restricting unauthorized access to transmission services. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify malicious data injection attempts targeting BitTorrent protocols. Regular vulnerability assessments should include checks for outdated Transmission versions, and system administrators should maintain awareness of the specific attack vectors that exploit this vulnerability. The fix implemented in newer versions addresses the root cause by strengthening the data validation logic during the endgame phase and implementing more robust error handling mechanisms that prevent corrupted data from causing premature download termination.