CVE-2000-0243 in SimpleServer:WWW
Summary
by MITRE
AnalogX SimpleServer:WWW HTTP server 1.03 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a short GET request to cgi-bin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0243 affects AnalogX SimpleServer WWW HTTP server version 1.03, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against affected systems. This issue manifests when the server receives a malformed GET request directed toward the cgi-bin directory, demonstrating a classic input validation weakness that has persisted across numerous web server implementations since the early days of internet infrastructure.
The technical flaw resides in the server's inadequate handling of malformed HTTP requests, specifically those containing truncated GET parameters that target the cgi-bin directory. When processing such requests, the SimpleServer fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to a potential buffer overflow condition or improper resource handling that results in server crash or unresponsiveness. This vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal network interaction to exploit and can effectively render the entire web service unavailable to legitimate users. The flaw aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and demonstrates how insufficient request parsing can create exploitable conditions in web server implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be leveraged by attackers to systematically degrade network availability and potentially disrupt business operations. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness without requiring authentication or specialized tools, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers. The vulnerability affects systems where AnalogX SimpleServer is deployed as a web hosting solution, particularly in environments where the server handles dynamic content through cgi-bin scripts. This type of denial of service attack represents a fundamental threat to availability and can be used in conjunction with other attack vectors to create more comprehensive compromises. The attack can be executed through simple network tools or automated scripts, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as implementing network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed HTTP requests. Organizations should also consider implementing rate limiting mechanisms and request validation at network boundaries to prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure that patching does not introduce compatibility issues with existing web applications, particularly those relying on cgi-bin functionality. Security administrators should also implement comprehensive monitoring of web server logs to detect unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and resource management in web server implementations, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks. The incident underscores the critical need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate such weaknesses before they can be exploited in real-world scenarios.