CVE-2001-0171 in Slimserve
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in SlimServe HTTPd 1.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service, and possibly execute arbitrary commands, via a long GET request.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0171 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the SlimServe HTTPd 1.0 web server implementation that fundamentally compromises system integrity and availability. This issue manifests when the server processes HTTP GET requests that exceed predetermined buffer limits, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking allows data to overflow into adjacent memory segments. The flaw exists in the HTTP request parsing logic where the server fails to properly validate input length before copying data into fixed-size buffers, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers without authentication requirements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for systems hosting sensitive data or critical services. When an attacker crafts a GET request containing excessive data, the buffer overflow can corrupt stack memory, potentially allowing execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves sending a specially crafted HTTP GET request with a payload exceeding the buffer capacity, which causes the application to overwrite memory regions containing return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data. This memory corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, system instability, or complete system compromise depending on the target environment and privilege levels. The vulnerability's severity classification as high risk stems from its remote exploitability and the potential for privilege escalation, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools and malicious actors seeking to compromise web server infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0171 must address both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future implementations. Organizations should immediately apply vendor patches or upgrades to eliminate the buffer overflow condition in SlimServe HTTPd 1.0 installations, as no effective workarounds exist for this specific flaw. Network-level defenses including intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for unusually long HTTP GET requests that may indicate exploitation attempts, while implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application stack. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper bounds checking and memory management practices in web server implementations, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation of input validation vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing application firewalls and web application firewalls to filter suspicious HTTP requests before they reach the vulnerable server component, while maintaining comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should focus on identifying similar buffer overflow conditions in other server components and applications to prevent cascading vulnerabilities that could compromise entire infrastructure ecosystems.