CVE-2000-0827 in DocumentDirect for the Internet
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the web authorization form of Mobius DocumentDirect for the Internet 1.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary commands via a long username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0827 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the web authorization component of Mobius DocumentDirect for the Internet version 1.2. This software product was designed to facilitate document management and collaboration over internet networks, but the buffer overflow vulnerability creates a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The flaw specifically manifests within the username field processing of the web authorization form, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate the application's memory structure. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-121, which encompasses buffer overflow conditions that occur when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length buffer. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous for systems that rely on this document management solution.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow occurs when an attacker submits a username string that exceeds the allocated buffer size within the web authorization form processing logic. This excessive input causes memory corruption that can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses or function pointers. The attacker can leverage this memory corruption to redirect program execution flow, effectively allowing them to execute arbitrary commands on the vulnerable system with the privileges of the web server process. This exploitation technique aligns with ATT&CK framework tactic TA0002 (Execution) and technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell), as the successful exploitation enables remote command execution capabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate memory management within the application's web interface, creating an attack surface that can be leveraged without requiring authentication for the initial exploitation phase.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0827 extends beyond immediate system compromise to encompass broader organizational security implications. Organizations utilizing Mobius DocumentDirect for the Internet 1.2 face potential data breaches, system downtime, and unauthorized access to sensitive documents managed through the platform. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and makes it difficult to defend against through traditional network segmentation measures. The potential for arbitrary command execution means that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install backdoors, exfiltrate data, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. Organizations may experience service disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and financial losses due to the security incident.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0827 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying vendor patches or upgrading to a newer version of Mobius DocumentDirect for the Internet that resolves the buffer overflow vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level protections including firewall rules that restrict access to the vulnerable web interface and intrusion detection systems that monitor for exploitation attempts. Input validation controls should be enhanced to enforce strict length limits on username fields and implement proper sanitization of user inputs before processing. The security posture should include regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues in other applications and systems. Additionally, implementing application-level security measures such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack protections can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against similar buffer overflow exploitation techniques. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and principle of least privilege access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.