CVE-2010-1544 in Digital Cable Modem
Summary
by MITRE
micro_httpd on the RCA DCM425 cable modem allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reboot) via a long string to TCP port 80.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1544 affects micro_httpd software running on RCA DCM425 cable modems, representing a classic buffer overflow condition that can be exploited to trigger a remote denial of service attack. This specific implementation flaw exists within the HTTP server component of the modem's firmware, where the micro_httpd service fails to properly validate input length when processing requests sent to TCP port 80. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms that allow an attacker to send malformed HTTP requests containing excessively long strings, which ultimately leads to memory corruption and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted HTTP request with an extended string parameter to the web server running on port 80, the micro_httpd service processes this input without proper length validation. The excessive string length causes the buffer to overflow, overwriting adjacent memory locations and potentially corrupting the program's execution flow. This memory corruption ultimately results in a system crash and subsequent device reboot, effectively rendering the cable modem unavailable to legitimate users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to network infrastructure and service continuity, particularly in environments where cable modems serve as critical access points for internet connectivity. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from outside the local network without requiring physical access or authentication credentials. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect network monitoring, management, and user experience across the entire connected infrastructure. Attackers can repeatedly trigger the denial of service condition, causing sustained disruption to network services and potentially leading to cascading failures in larger network deployments.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion or system instability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate critical devices and employ intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual traffic patterns on port 80. Network administrators should consider implementing rate limiting and input validation rules at network boundaries to prevent malformed HTTP requests from reaching vulnerable devices. Additionally, regular firmware updates and patch management procedures should be established to address known vulnerabilities in network equipment, as this specific issue was resolved through firmware updates provided by the manufacturer. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, particularly those with network-facing services that may be exposed to untrusted external traffic.