CVE-2018-25262 in Angry IP Scanner for Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 04/22/2026
Angry IP Scanner for Linux 3.5.3 contains a denial of service vulnerability that allows local attackers to crash the application by supplying malformed input to the port selection field. Attackers can craft a malicious string containing buffer overflow patterns and paste it into the Preferences Ports tab to trigger an application crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2026
The Angry IP Scanner for Linux version 3.5.3 presents a critical denial of service vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation within its graphical user interface components. This vulnerability specifically targets the port selection field located in the Preferences Ports tab, where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it. The flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when malformed input exceeds the allocated memory space designated for port specifications, causing the application to terminate unexpectedly and crash entirely.
This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as classified by CWE-20, which encompasses weaknesses resulting from insufficient validation of input data. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local system access to exploit, making it accessible to any user with privileges to interact with the application's graphical interface. The malicious string construction involves crafting specific buffer overflow patterns that when pasted into the port selection field trigger the application's memory management failure, resulting in an unhandled exception that terminates the process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability as it can disrupt network scanning operations and potentially provide attackers with a means to deny service to legitimate users who rely on the scanner for network reconnaissance. Network administrators and security professionals who depend on Angry IP Scanner for routine network assessments may experience disruptions during critical scanning operations, leading to potential gaps in network visibility and security monitoring. The vulnerability creates an opportunity for attackers to cause system instability without requiring elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where the scanner might be accessed by various personnel.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network disruption and denial of service attacks through application-level manipulation. The local privilege requirement reduces the attack complexity but does not eliminate the risk entirely, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability in combination with other techniques to escalate their impact within a compromised system. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and access restrictions to limit exposure to this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves patching to the latest version of Angry IP Scanner where input validation has been properly implemented to prevent buffer overflow conditions, along with regular security updates to address similar vulnerabilities in network scanning tools.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input sanitization in GUI applications, particularly those handling user-supplied data for configuration parameters. Security practitioners should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of network scanning tools and ensure that all components maintain robust input validation mechanisms. The incident also highlights the need for comprehensive testing procedures including fuzzing techniques to identify potential buffer overflow conditions before deployment in production environments where such vulnerabilities could be exploited by malicious actors seeking to disrupt network operations or gain unauthorized access to system resources.