CVE-2011-3342 in OpenTTD
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in OpenTTD before 1.1.3 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via vectors related to (1) NAME, (2) PLYR, (3) CHTS, or (4) AIPL (aka AI config) chunk loading from a savegame.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3342 represents a critical buffer overflow issue affecting OpenTTD versions prior to 1.1.3, presenting significant security risks to users and system administrators. This vulnerability specifically targets the chunk loading mechanisms within OpenTTD's savegame processing functionality, where multiple distinct buffer overflow conditions exist across different data structures. The affected chunk types include NAME, PLYR, CHTS, and AIPL (AI configuration) chunks, each representing different aspects of game state persistence and configuration management.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking during the parsing of savegame files, particularly when processing these specific chunk types. When OpenTTD encounters malformed or maliciously crafted savegame data containing oversized or improperly formatted chunks, the application fails to properly validate buffer boundaries before copying data into fixed-size memory buffers. This fundamental lack of input sanitization creates predictable buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited through remote network-based attacks, allowing adversaries to manipulate memory contents and potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when OpenTTD is deployed in server configurations. The daemon crash resulting from these buffer overflows can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt service availability, while the potential for arbitrary code execution opens pathways for privilege escalation, system compromise, and persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects both local and remote attack vectors, as savegame files can be transmitted across networks or loaded locally, providing multiple exploitation pathways for threat actors.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of insufficient boundary checking in memory management operations. The attack patterns associated with CVE-2011-3342 map directly to ATT&CK techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage these buffer overflows to execute malicious payloads within the context of the OpenTTD process. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper memory management in software security, particularly for applications handling user-provided data through file parsing mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching and version updates to OpenTTD 1.1.3 or later releases where these buffer overflow conditions have been addressed through proper input validation and boundary checking implementations. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of OpenTTD services to untrusted networks, while regular security assessments should include verification of savegame file integrity and implementation of proper file access controls. Additionally, deployment of intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious savegame file patterns and network traffic related to these vulnerabilities can provide early warning capabilities for potential exploitation attempts.