CVE-2018-25214 in MegaPing
Summary
by MITRE • 03/26/2026
MegaPing contains a local buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to crash the application by supplying an oversized payload to the Destination Address List field in the Finger function. Attackers can paste a crafted buffer exceeding expected input limits into the vulnerable field and trigger the Start button to cause a denial of service crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-25214 represents a critical local buffer overflow flaw within MegaPing software that directly impacts system stability and availability. This issue resides in the Finger function's handling of user input through the Destination Address List field, creating a pathway for malicious local users to execute denial of service attacks against the application. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker supplies an oversized payload that exceeds the expected input limits, triggering a buffer overflow condition that ultimately leads to application crash and system instability.
From a technical perspective this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw occurs during the processing of input data within the Finger function, where the application fails to properly validate or limit the size of data entered into the Destination Address List field. When the Start button is pressed, the malformed input triggers memory corruption that causes the application to terminate unexpectedly, effectively creating a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate users from accessing the software's functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability as it provides local attackers with a straightforward method to disrupt system operations. Since the vulnerability requires only local access to exploit, it represents a significant risk in environments where multiple users share the same system or where administrative privileges are compromised. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it does not require network access or complex exploitation techniques, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. This vulnerability undermines the reliability of MegaPing as a network diagnostic tool and can potentially disrupt critical network monitoring operations that depend on its availability.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, which involves leveraging application-specific vulnerabilities to cause system disruption. The impact of this vulnerability aligns with the broader category of availability attacks that target software stability. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, buffer size restrictions, and application hardening measures to prevent exploitation. Additionally, regular security updates and patches from the software vendor should be prioritized to address this vulnerability and prevent potential escalation to more sophisticated attacks that could leverage the buffer overflow for privilege escalation or code execution. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in software development, particularly for applications handling user-supplied data in network diagnostic tools.