CVE-2001-0746 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Web Publisher in iPlanet Web Server Enterprise Edition 4.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a request for a long URI with (1) GETPROPERTIES, (2) GETATTRIBUTENAMES, or other methods.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0746 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Web Publisher component of iPlanet Web Server Enterprise Edition 4.1 and earlier versions. This vulnerability exists in the handling of Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) requests and specifically affects methods such as GETPROPERTIES and GETATTRIBUTENAMES. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking mechanisms that fail to properly constrain the length of incoming URI data, creating an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted requests can exceed allocated buffer space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the server's inability to properly validate the length of URI parameters passed to the Web Publisher module. When a remote attacker submits a request containing an excessively long URI, the application processes this input without adequate bounds checking, leading to memory corruption that can result in arbitrary code execution or system crash. This buffer overflow condition occurs at the application layer where the server fails to implement proper input sanitization before processing client requests. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which directly violates secure coding principles and represents a fundamental flaw in memory management practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a severe threat to web server security. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the server environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the iPlanet Web Server Enterprise Edition, which was widely deployed in enterprise environments, amplifying the potential damage. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and service disruption that could impact business operations and customer trust.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0746 require immediate patching of the affected iPlanet Web Server versions to the latest available security updates from Sun Microsystems. System administrators should implement network-level restrictions to limit URI length and enforce strict input validation on all web requests. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure proper configuration of web server security settings. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for proactive security measures including regular patch management and security monitoring to prevent exploitation attempts.