CVE-2014-4334 in Rayman Legends
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Ubisoft Rayman Legends before 1.3.140380 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in the "second connection" to TCP port 1001.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4334 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in Ubisoft Rayman Legends game client software prior to version 1.3.140380. This vulnerability specifically affects the network communication handling mechanism of the game, creating a pathway for remote code execution through improperly validated input data. The flaw manifests when the game client processes incoming data on TCP port 1001, which serves as the secondary connection port for multiplayer gaming functionality. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during string processing operations, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that exceed the allocated stack buffer space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length stack buffer. In the context of Rayman Legends, the game's networking code fails to validate the length of strings received during the secondary connection establishment process on port 1001. When an attacker sends a specially crafted long string payload, the data overflows into adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting critical program execution data including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption enables attackers to manipulate the program flow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected systems running the vulnerable game client. Since the vulnerability is accessible over the network without authentication requirements, attackers can exploit it remotely without needing physical access to target systems. The multiplayer gaming environment of Rayman Legends makes this particularly concerning as users may unknowingly connect to malicious servers or be targeted through compromised game servers. The vulnerability affects all versions of Rayman Legends prior to 1.3.140380, creating a substantial attack surface across various gaming platforms and user bases.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter. The exploitation process involves crafting malicious network traffic that triggers the buffer overflow condition, potentially leading to privilege escalation and persistent access. Organizations and individuals running affected versions of Rayman Legends face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard network-based attacks without requiring advanced technical skills or specialized tools. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread distribution of the game and the common practice of gamers connecting to online multiplayer environments where such attacks could be seamlessly executed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4334 primarily focus on updating to the patched version 1.3.140380 or later, which implements proper input validation and bounds checking for network data processing. Network administrators should consider implementing firewall rules to block incoming connections on TCP port 1001 for systems not requiring multiplayer functionality, though this approach is less effective for end-user systems. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in networked applications, particularly those handling user-supplied data in gaming environments where users may connect to untrusted third-party servers. Additionally, users should avoid connecting to unofficial or untrusted game servers and ensure their gaming software remains updated to protect against similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other applications.