CVE-1999-0375 in Network Flight Recorder
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in webd in Network Flight Recorder (NFR) 2.0.2-Research allows remote attackers to execute commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-0375 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the webd component of Network Flight Recorder version 2.0.2-Research. This issue resides in the web server functionality that processes HTTP requests and handles incoming data from network clients. The buffer overflow occurs when the webd service receives malformed input data through HTTP requests, specifically in the manner it processes and stores user-supplied data in memory buffers. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking and input validation mechanisms within the application's request handling code. When an attacker crafts a specially designed HTTP request containing excessive data in specific fields, the webd service fails to properly validate the input length and overflows the allocated memory buffer, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution on the target system.
This vulnerability operates at the application layer and presents significant operational risks for systems running Network Flight Recorder 2.0.2-Research. The buffer overflow can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for networked environments. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the webd service process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. The attack vector involves sending malicious HTTP requests containing oversized payload data that triggers the buffer overflow condition. The technical impact extends beyond simple command execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructures. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on remote code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-1999-0375 affects organizations running legacy Network Flight Recorder systems, particularly those in research and development environments where such older software versions might persist. Systems exposed to the internet or accessible from untrusted networks face the highest risk of exploitation, as the vulnerability can be triggered through standard web browsing or automated scanning tools. The remote nature of the attack means that organizations cannot rely solely on network segmentation or firewall rules to protect against this specific threat. Security teams must consider the broader implications of such vulnerabilities within their infrastructure, as they may indicate the presence of other unpatched components in the same system or network environment. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network isolation of affected systems, deployment of intrusion detection signatures, and application-level firewall rules to restrict access to the vulnerable webd service. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust input validation practices in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001. Additionally, the flaw demonstrates the critical need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that can identify and remediate such legacy software issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors in the wild.