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Update Protection against TFTP Server Error Packet Handling Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

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Check Point Reference: CPAI-2008-137
Date Published:
Severity:
Last Updated:
Source: Secunia Advisory: SA30147
Industry Reference(s): CVE-2008-2161
Protection Provided by: IPS-1
  • IPS-1
  • IPS-1 NGX R65
Who is Vulnerable?
TFTP Server Project TFTP Server SP 1.4
Vulnerability Description
A buffer overflow vulnerability has been reported in TFTP Server. The Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) is used for file transfer, allowing a remote user to download or upload files to the server. TFTP Server is an open source TFTP server service that facilitates the transfer of files to or from the server. A remote attacker may exploit this issue to execute arbitrary code on an affected system.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is due to a flaw in the TFTP Server that fails to properly handle TFTP error packets with overly long error messages. To trigger this issue, a remote attacker can send a specially crafted TFTP error packet to a target host. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Protection Overview
By enabling this protection, IPS-1 will detect and block TFTP requests with overly long error messages.

In order for the protection to be activated, update your product to the latest SmartDefense update. For information on how to update SmartDefense, go to SBP-2006-05, Protection tab and select the version of your choice.

To configure the defense, select your product from the list below and follow the related protection steps.

IPS-1 & IPS-1 NGX R65

How Can I Protect My Network?
1. In the IPS-1 Policy Manager, click on the Protection tab.
2. In the Protection tree, click Application Intelligence > TFTP, and select the TFTP Attacks protection group.
3. Click A TFTP Error message is too large (IPS-1 NGX R65 only).
4. In the configuration pane, under Settings, check Active.
5. Click on Install Policy.

How Do I Know if My Network is Under Attack?
Upon attack, the following entry will be logged:

Alert Name: tftp_tftp
Description: tftp_error_msg_overflow_alert