CVE-2000-0626 in Alibaba
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Alibaba web server allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a long GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0626 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Alibaba web server implementation that fundamentally compromises system stability and availability. This issue manifests when the server processes GET requests containing excessive data payload lengths, creating conditions where memory allocation boundaries are exceeded. The vulnerability resides in the server's input validation mechanisms, specifically within the request handling component that fails to properly sanitize or limit the length of incoming HTTP GET parameters. According to CWE-121, this represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious actors to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with a mechanism to disrupt legitimate service availability through carefully crafted malformed requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending GET requests containing thousands of characters in the URL parameters or query strings, causing the server process to overflow its allocated buffer space and subsequently crash or become unresponsive. This behavior directly aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which describes network denial of service attacks targeting web applications. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the web server by disrupting the normal request processing flow, making legitimate users unable to access services while the server remains in a compromised state.
From a security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper memory management in web server implementations. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to manipulate the server's execution flow through carefully constructed input data, potentially leading to more severe consequences than initially apparent. The buffer overflow creates opportunities for exploitation that could extend beyond simple service disruption, as memory corruption may enable attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges. Organizations running affected Alibaba web server implementations face significant risks including complete service outages, potential data exposure, and compromised system integrity. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of implementing robust security controls such as input length restrictions, automated monitoring for unusual request patterns, and regular security updates to address known weaknesses in web server software components.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment to address the underlying buffer overflow condition, combined with network-level protections such as rate limiting and request size restrictions. Implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application stack, including web server configuration, application firewalls, and intrusion detection systems, provides comprehensive defense against similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate potential buffer overflow conditions in custom web applications and server configurations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices and the importance of adhering to established security standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.