CVE-2000-0622 in Website Professional
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Webfind CGI program in O Reilly WebSite Professional web server 2.x allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a URL containing a long "keywords" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0622 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Webfind CGI component of the O Reilly WebSite Professional web server version 2.x series. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing within the application's memory space. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the web server processes HTTP requests containing a malformed "keywords" parameter within the URL structure, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can exceed the allocated buffer size and overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs through the improper handling of string concatenation and memory allocation within the CGI program's code execution flow. When the web server receives a request with an excessively long keywords parameter, the application fails to implement bounds checking or length validation before copying the input data into a fixed-size buffer. This fundamental flaw in memory management creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting critical memory segments including return addresses, stack pointers, or function pointers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which directly enables arbitrary code execution capabilities for remote attackers who can craft malicious URLs to exploit this weakness.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0622 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise and unauthorized access capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the affected web server, potentially gaining administrative privileges or establishing persistent backdoors within the target environment. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a specially formatted URL containing a long keywords parameter that triggers the buffer overflow condition, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious shellcode within the server's memory space. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, creating a complete attack chain from initial reconnaissance to system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary solution involves applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrading to a newer version of the O Reilly WebSite Professional server that contains fixed buffer handling routines and proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement network-level controls including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block malicious URL patterns containing excessive parameter lengths. Additionally, security hardening practices should include disabling unnecessary CGI scripts, implementing input length restrictions, and conducting regular security assessments of web server configurations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the CERT Secure Coding Standards, particularly guidelines related to buffer management and input validation to prevent similar issues in future software development cycles.