CVE-2000-1019 in Search Software
Summary
by MITRE
Search engine in Ultraseek 3.1 and 3.1.10 (aka Inktomi Search) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a malformed URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-1019 affects the search engine component of Ultraseek versions 3.1 and 3.1.10, which is also known as Inktomi Search. This flaw resides within the URL parsing mechanism of the search engine software, creating a potential entry point for malicious actors to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of malformed URLs, which represents a classic example of improper input validation that can lead to system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of URL parameters within the search engine's processing pipeline. When the system encounters a malformed URL, it fails to properly handle the unexpected input structure, leading to a crash or unresponsive state that effectively renders the search service unavailable to legitimate users. This type of flaw falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, which is a fundamental weakness in software design that allows malicious inputs to disrupt normal application behavior. The vulnerability represents a specific instance of CWE-129, which deals with insufficient validation of array indices, though in this case the issue manifests through URL parsing rather than array manipulation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant denial of service risk for organizations relying on Ultraseek search functionality. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted URLs that trigger the service disruption, potentially causing extended downtime for search capabilities. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it affects the availability of information services that may be critical to business operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the search engine might be exposed to external traffic. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks that target availability through malformed input processing.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation mechanisms within the URL parsing component of the search engine. Organizations should ensure that all URL parameters are thoroughly validated before processing, with specific attention to malformed or unexpected input structures. The fix typically involves adding robust error handling and input sanitization routines that can gracefully handle malformed URLs without causing system crashes. Security patches should be applied promptly to address this weakness, as the vulnerability has been documented since 2000 and represents a well-known class of flaws that can be easily exploited. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable search engine components to untrusted networks, providing defense in depth against potential exploitation attempts.