CVE-2001-0301 in Analog
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Analog before 4.16 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands by using the ALIAS command to construct large strings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0301 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Analog web server software prior to version 4.16. This vulnerability specifically manifests when processing the ALIAS command, which is used to define aliases for web server paths and resources. The flaw occurs because the application fails to properly validate the length of input strings passed through the ALIAS command, allowing attackers to exceed the allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows memory to be overwritten. The Analog web server, widely used for generating web server statistics and log analysis reports, becomes susceptible to exploitation when handling maliciously crafted ALIAS commands that contain oversized input data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system with the privileges of the web server process. When an attacker sends a specially crafted ALIAS command containing a buffer overflow payload, the excessive input causes the stack to overflow and overwrite return addresses or other critical program memory locations. This memory corruption can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected by the attacker, effectively allowing complete system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for command and script execution, where adversaries leverage buffer overflow conditions to gain remote code execution capabilities. The attack vector requires network access to the web server and can be executed without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Organizations relying on Analog for web server analytics and log processing face significant risk when running vulnerable versions, as attackers can gain full control over the server and potentially use it as a pivot point for attacking internal network resources. The vulnerability affects systems where Analog is configured to process user input through the ALIAS command, which is common in web server configurations that require custom path mappings or virtual host definitions. This flaw can be exploited to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify web content, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that Analog was widely deployed in production environments, making many systems potentially vulnerable to exploitation. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability was addressed in Analog version 4.16, which implemented proper input validation and buffer size checking mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0301 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Analog installations to version 4.16 or later, which includes proper bounds checking for ALIAS command inputs. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to Analog web server components and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious ALIAS command usage patterns. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary ALIAS command functionality when not required, implementing input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, and conducting regular security assessments of web server configurations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and buffer management in web server applications, aligning with industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other security frameworks that emphasize the need for robust input sanitization and memory safety practices. Organizations should also consider implementing application firewalls or web application firewalls to detect and block malicious ALIAS command sequences before they can cause harm.