CVE-2001-0448 in 602pro Lan Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Web configuration server in 602Pro LAN SUITE allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via an HTTP GET HTTP request to the aux directory, and possibly other directories with legacy DOS device names.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0448 represents a classic denial of service flaw affecting the 602Pro LAN SUITE web configuration server. This issue exploits a fundamental weakness in how the server handles HTTP requests containing legacy dos device names, specifically targeting the aux directory and potentially other directories with similar naming conventions. The vulnerability stems from the server's inadequate input validation and processing of requests that reference obsolete dos device names, which were originally designed for compatibility with older operating systems. These legacy device names include aux, con, nul, prn, and lpt1 through lpt9, which were reserved in the dos filesystem and are still recognized by many modern systems for backward compatibility purposes. The flaw allows remote attackers to craft malicious HTTP GET requests that reference these specific directory names, triggering unexpected behavior in the web server's handling of such requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the server's failure to properly sanitize or validate incoming HTTP requests before processing them. When the web configuration server receives an HTTP GET request targeting directories with legacy dos device names, it attempts to process these requests using standard file system operations that were designed for dos compatibility. This processing can lead to the server becoming unresponsive or crashing entirely, as the system attempts to access or manipulate files using these reserved device names that may not be properly handled by modern file system operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt services. The attack vector specifically involves sending crafted HTTP requests that reference these legacy device names in the path portion of the URL, causing the server to enter an unstable state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it demonstrates a fundamental flaw in how legacy compatibility features are implemented within modern web applications. Organizations using 602Pro LAN SUITE would face potential downtime and service unavailability when attackers exploit this vulnerability, which could result in significant business disruption and loss of productivity. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can target these systems from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access or local privileges, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such servers might be exposed to external traffic. Additionally, the vulnerability affects not just the aux directory but potentially other directories with legacy dos device names, suggesting a broader class of similar issues that could exist within the application's request handling mechanisms. This type of vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as initial denial of service conditions may be used to create opportunities for further exploitation or to mask other malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0448 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization within the web configuration server's request processing pipeline. System administrators should ensure that the application properly filters or rejects HTTP requests containing legacy dos device names in directory paths, preventing these requests from being processed by the server's file system operations. The implementation of a robust web application firewall or intrusion prevention system can help detect and block such malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable server components. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling or restricting access to the web configuration server from untrusted networks and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and represents a specific instance of how legacy compatibility features can introduce security weaknesses. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to the denial of service technique and could be used as part of broader attack chains targeting network infrastructure and application availability. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to address known vulnerabilities in legacy applications, while also conducting thorough security assessments to identify similar issues within other components of the network infrastructure that may be exposed to similar attack vectors.