CVE-2000-0776 in Statistics Server LiveStats
Summary
by MITRE
Mediahouse Statistics Server 5.02x allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a long HTTP GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0776 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Mediahouse Statistics Server version 5.02x, which operates as a web-based analytics platform for tracking website traffic and user behavior. This server software was designed to process HTTP requests and generate statistical reports, making it a potential target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized system access. The vulnerability manifests when the server processes HTTP GET requests that exceed predetermined buffer limits, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain control over the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the server's HTTP request handling mechanism. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious HTTP GET request containing an excessive number of characters in the request parameters, the server fails to properly validate the input length before processing. This results in a buffer overflow condition where the excessive data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical program structures or allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running service. The flaw specifically affects the server's ability to handle variable-length input data without proper bounds checking, creating an attack surface that directly violates secure coding principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server system. Once exploited, malicious actors can execute commands with the same privileges as the Mediahouse Statistics Server process, which typically runs with elevated permissions to access web server logs and statistical data. This compromise enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, installation of backdoors, modification of statistical reports, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this server for web analytics and traffic monitoring.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of insecure input handling that violates multiple security best practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the initial remote code execution to gain higher system privileges. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement network segmentation to isolate the affected server, apply vendor patches if available, and monitor network traffic for signs of exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, deploying intrusion detection systems, and conducting regular security assessments can help mitigate the risk of similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The incident highlights the critical importance of proper buffer management in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly simple input validation flaws can lead to complete system compromise, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and code review processes.