CVE-2013-1461 in MiniUPnPd
Summary
by MITRE
The ExecuteSoapAction function in the SOAPAction handler in the HTTP service in MiniUPnP MiniUPnPd 1.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and service crash) via a SOAPAction header that lacks a # (pound sign) character, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-0230.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1461 affects MiniUPnP MiniUPnPd version 1.0, specifically targeting the SOAPAction handler within the HTTP service component. This issue represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that exploits improper input validation in the processing of SOAPAction headers. The flaw manifests when the system encounters a SOAPAction header that does not contain the expected pound sign character, creating a condition that leads to system instability and service disruption. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically within the universal plug and play protocol implementation that enables devices to discover and communicate with each other on local networks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the ExecuteSoapAction function's inadequate handling of malformed SOAPAction headers. When a client submits a SOAPAction header without the required pound sign character, the function fails to properly validate the input before attempting to process it. This validation failure results in a NULL pointer dereference condition, where the application attempts to access memory at address zero or an invalid memory location. The absence of proper input sanitization and error handling creates a path where malicious or malformed requests can directly cause the application to crash. This behavior aligns with CWE-476, which describes NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to system instability and denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it provides attackers with a reliable method to compromise network services through seemingly benign network traffic. When exploited, the vulnerability causes the MiniUPnPd service to terminate abruptly, requiring manual intervention to restore functionality. This type of attack is particularly concerning in network environments where UPnP services are critical for device discovery and automatic port configuration, as it can effectively disable network connectivity features and potentially impact broader network operations. The vulnerability affects the availability aspect of the CIA triad, specifically targeting the service availability by forcing system crashes through malformed input processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1461 should focus on implementing robust input validation and error handling within the SOAPAction processing logic. System administrators should ensure that all versions of MiniUPnPd are updated to patched releases that properly handle malformed SOAPAction headers. The implementation of proper boundary checks and input sanitization techniques can prevent the NULL pointer dereference condition from occurring. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual patterns in SOAPAction header processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, and the remediation approaches should include both defensive programming practices and network-level protections. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments to identify similar input validation vulnerabilities in other network services and ensure that proper logging and alerting mechanisms are in place to detect potential exploitation attempts.