CVE-2001-0257 in Easycom Safecom Print Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Easycom/Safecom Print Server Web service, version 404.590 and earlier, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via (1) a long URL or (2) a long HTTP header field such as "Host:".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0257 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the Easycom/Safecom Print Server Web service software version 404.590 and earlier. This issue arises from inadequate input validation within the web service component that handles HTTP requests, creating a pathway for remote code execution through malformed input data. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of URL parameters and HTTP header fields, particularly the Host header, which are processed without proper bounds checking mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the web service receives a request containing an excessively long URL or HTTP header field. The software fails to validate the length of these inputs before copying them into fixed-size memory buffers, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be exploited to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information, enabling an attacker to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. From an operational perspective, this flaw represents a severe security weakness that can be leveraged by remote attackers without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where print servers are accessible to external networks.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected print server system. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to network resources, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The attack vectors described in the vulnerability description demonstrate the broad scope of potential exploitation, as both URL parameters and HTTP headers can be manipulated to trigger the buffer overflow condition. This dual attack surface increases the likelihood of successful exploitation and makes the vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against. Organizations utilizing affected versions of the Easycom/Safecom Print Server software face significant risk of compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited from any location with network access to the vulnerable service.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0257 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to print server services, particularly restricting access to only trusted internal networks. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block long URL or header requests, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and establishing robust network monitoring procedures to identify unusual traffic patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper memory management in web services, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate credentials and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls that restrict HTTP header processing and enforce strict size limitations on incoming requests to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of their infrastructure.