CVE-2010-2534 in OpenTTD
Summary
by MITRE
The NetworkSyncCommandQueue function in network/network_command.cpp in OpenTTD before 1.0.3 does not properly clear a pointer in a linked list, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU consumption) via a crafted request, related to the client command queue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2534 resides within the OpenTTD multiplayer networking implementation, specifically in the NetworkSyncCommandQueue function located in network/network_command.cpp. This flaw represents a classic memory management issue that affects the proper handling of linked list structures within the game's network synchronization mechanism. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes client command queues during multiplayer sessions, creating a scenario where pointer cleanup operations fail to execute correctly.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted network request that triggers the improper pointer clearing behavior within the linked list data structure. When a malicious remote attacker sends such a crafted request, the system fails to properly nullify or reset the pointer references in the command queue linked list. This failure results in a situation where the linked list becomes corrupted and enters an infinite loop during processing operations. The corrupted state causes the system to continuously iterate through the same set of nodes without proper termination conditions, leading to sustained high CPU utilization and ultimately causing a denial of service condition that affects the entire multiplayer session.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to OpenTTD multiplayer servers and their hosted games, as it allows remote attackers to consume excessive system resources and potentially disrupt gameplay for all connected users. The infinite loop condition created by the improper pointer handling effectively renders the affected system unresponsive to legitimate network traffic while maintaining high CPU consumption levels. This type of denial of service attack can be particularly damaging in competitive multiplayer environments where server stability and performance are critical for maintaining game integrity and player experience.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-459, which describes "Incomplete Cleanup" in software systems, and demonstrates how improper resource management can lead to system instability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this represents a denial of service technique that can be classified under T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service, as it specifically targets networked applications and exploits memory management flaws to create persistent system disruptions. The flaw also relates to T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, since the attack vector involves network protocol handling and command processing that would typically occur over network connections.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper pointer cleanup routines within the linked list management code, ensuring that all node pointers are correctly reset to null after processing operations. The most effective solution involves updating the NetworkSyncCommandQueue function to properly clear all pointer references in the linked list structure before and after processing. Additionally, implementing bounds checking and timeout mechanisms for command queue processing can help prevent the infinite loop scenario from occurring. The vulnerability was addressed in OpenTTD version 1.0.3, which included proper memory management fixes and enhanced validation of network command processing to prevent the pointer clearing failure that enabled the denial of service condition.