CVE-2001-0385 in Webserver
Summary
by MITRE
GoAhead webserver 2.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via an HTTP request to the /aux directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0385 affects the GoAhead webserver version 2.1, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against affected systems. This issue stems from the webserver's improper handling of HTTP requests directed toward the /aux directory, which is a reserved directory name in the windows operating system that typically cannot be accessed directly through web browsers. The flaw exists because the GoAhead webserver fails to properly validate or reject requests targeting this specific directory path, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the system's response handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental design of the webserver's request processing logic, where it does not adequately filter or sanitize incoming HTTP requests that reference the /aux directory. When a remote attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the /aux directory, the GoAhead webserver attempts to process this request in a manner that causes system resources to become consumed or the service to become unresponsive. This behavior manifests as a denial of service condition where legitimate users are unable to access the webserver's services, effectively rendering the system unavailable for its intended purpose. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication or privileged access to exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it represents a critical weakness in the webserver's security architecture that could be leveraged as part of larger attack campaigns. Organizations relying on GoAhead webserver version 2.1 face potential business disruption, revenue loss, and reputational damage when attackers successfully exploit this flaw. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can initiate attacks from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly concerning for publicly accessible web servers. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack tactics and techniques framework, specifically representing a denial of service attack vector that could be used to disrupt availability services as outlined in the attack pattern taxonomy.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0385 should prioritize immediate patching of the GoAhead webserver to version 2.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions that prevent access to the /aux directory and similar reserved paths through their webserver configurations. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious requests targeting these specific directory patterns. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other instances of the affected webserver version within their infrastructure and ensure proper access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized access to system resources. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, aligning with the common weakness enumeration standards that categorize such issues under improper input validation and resource exhaustion attack patterns.