CVE-2011-3341 in OpenTTD
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple off-by-one errors in order_cmd.cpp in OpenTTD before 1.1.3 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted CMD_INSERT_ORDER command.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3341 represents a critical security flaw in the OpenTTD game server software, specifically within the order_cmd.cpp component that handles command processing for vehicle orders. This issue affects versions prior to 1.1.3 and demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through carefully crafted network commands. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms that fail to properly handle the CMD_INSERT_ORDER command, which is used to modify vehicle routing and scheduling within the game's transportation management system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves multiple off-by-one errors that occur during the processing of order-related commands sent over the network to the OpenTTD daemon. These off-by-one errors create conditions where the application fails to properly validate the size and boundaries of incoming data structures, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layouts through malformed command sequences. The flaw specifically manifests when the server processes the CMD_INSERT_ORDER command, which is designed to insert new orders into a vehicle's routing sequence. The improper boundary checks enable attackers to write data beyond allocated memory regions, potentially causing unpredictable behavior including crashes or memory corruption that could lead to code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for multiplayer game servers and networked gaming environments. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause the OpenTTD daemon to crash and restart, disrupting gameplay for all connected users and potentially leading to data loss or service interruption. The remote nature of the attack means that any player with network access to a vulnerable server can exploit this flaw without requiring local system access or authentication. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the game server and can be leveraged to create persistent disruptions in multiplayer gaming environments where OpenTTD servers are hosted for community play.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3341 focus primarily on immediate software updates to versions 1.1.3 or later where the off-by-one errors have been corrected through proper boundary validation and input sanitization. System administrators should implement network-level filtering to restrict access to game servers and monitor for unusual command patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index values, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203, involving the use of remote access tools for system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed CMD_INSERT_ORDER commands and establish regular patching schedules to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of the game server infrastructure.