CVE-2012-5962 in portable SDK for UPnP
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the unique_service_name function in ssdp/ssdp_server.c in the SSDP parser in the portable SDK for UPnP Devices (aka libupnp, formerly the Intel SDK for UPnP devices) 1.3.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long DeviceType (aka urn) field in a UDP packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5962 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the portable SDK for UPnP Devices, commonly known as libupnp or formerly the Intel SDK for UPnP devices version 1.3.1. This flaw exists specifically within the unique_service_name function located in the ssdp/ssdp_server.c file, which processes SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol) packets. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation when processing the DeviceType field, also known as the urn field, in UDP packets sent to UPnP devices. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious UDP packets containing an excessively long DeviceType string that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the SSDP parser's handling of device type identifiers. When the unique_service_name function processes incoming UDP packets, it fails to adequately validate the length of the DeviceType field before copying it into a fixed-size buffer on the stack. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting the return address or other critical program state information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates over UDP, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring authentication or direct network access to the target device. According to CWE standards, this corresponds to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized as a high-severity vulnerability due to its potential for remote code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5962 extends significantly across various networked environments where UPnP-enabled devices are deployed, including home networks, enterprise environments, and IoT ecosystems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized control over devices that implement libupnp, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The remote nature of the attack means that even devices behind firewalls or NAT configurations can be targeted, as UPnP discovery operates on standard UDP ports 1900 and 1901. This vulnerability particularly affects devices such as routers, media servers, network printers, and other UPnP-compliant hardware that may be running vulnerable versions of libupnp. The exploitation aligns with ATT&CK techniques under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as successful exploitation typically results in code execution with the privileges of the affected service.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5962 primarily focus on immediate software updates and network-level protections. The most effective solution involves upgrading to libupnp version 1.3.2 or later, where the buffer overflow vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Network administrators should implement UDP port filtering to restrict access to UPnP discovery ports 1900 and 1901, particularly on external-facing network segments. Additionally, organizations can deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed SSDP packets and implement network segmentation to isolate UPnP-enabled devices from critical infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation practices in network protocol implementations, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for secure software development. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all devices running vulnerable versions of libupnp and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts against their network infrastructure.