CVE-2013-1462 in MiniUPnPd
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in 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 (incorrect memory copy) via a SOAPAction header that lacks a " (double quote) character, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-0230.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-1462 represents a critical integer signedness error within the MiniUPnP MiniUPnPd 1.0 implementation that affects the SOAPAction handler in the HTTP service. This flaw exists in the ExecuteSoapAction function where improper handling of string parsing leads to incorrect memory operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing SOAPAction headers that lack double quote characters, creating a scenario where the application fails to properly validate input boundaries before performing memory copy operations. This particular issue demonstrates a classic software engineering oversight where signed integer variables are used in contexts where unsigned values are more appropriate, leading to unexpected behavior during boundary condition evaluation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through malformed SOAPAction headers that omit the required double quote character, which triggers the signedness error in the parsing logic. When the application encounters such input, it incorrectly calculates memory buffer sizes or offsets due to the improper signedness handling, resulting in memory corruption during the copy operation. This type of error falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and more precisely maps to CWE-191, which deals with integer underflow. The vulnerability represents a denial of service condition where the incorrect memory copy operation causes the application to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering the UPnP service unavailable to legitimate users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to network infrastructure devices that rely on MiniUPnPd for UPnP functionality, including routers, firewalls, and network appliances. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be leveraged by attackers to create persistent denial of service conditions that may require manual intervention to resolve. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and potentially T1595.001 for reconnaissance activities that identify vulnerable network services. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that UPnP services are commonly exposed to untrusted networks and often lack proper access controls, making them prime targets for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected MiniUPnPd installations to version 1.1 or later where the integer signedness error has been corrected. Network administrators should implement proper input validation at the HTTP service level to filter out malformed SOAPAction headers before they reach the vulnerable parsing function. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be employed to limit exposure of UPnP services to untrusted networks. The implementation of intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual SOAPAction header patterns can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling UPnP functionality entirely if it is not required for their network operations, as this eliminates the attack surface associated with the vulnerable service while maintaining network security posture.