CVE-2001-1304 in SHOUTcast Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in SHOUTcast Server 1.8.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via several HTTP requests with a long (1) user-agent or (2) host HTTP header.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1304 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the SHOUTcast Server version 1.8.2 that exposes the system to remote exploitation. This issue specifically targets the handling of HTTP headers during client connections, creating a pathway for malicious actors to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability operates through two distinct attack vectors involving either the user-agent or host HTTP header fields, both of which are commonly transmitted by web clients and streaming media applications. The buffer overflow occurs when the server fails to properly validate the length of these header fields, allowing an attacker to send crafted requests that exceed the allocated buffer space.
This technical flaw falls under the category of CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network disruption through resource exhaustion or system crashes. The SHOUTcast Server implementation does not perform adequate input sanitization or length validation on HTTP header parameters, creating an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted header values can trigger memory corruption. When the server processes these oversized header values, the buffer overflow causes the application to crash or terminate unexpectedly, leading to a denial of service condition that affects legitimate users seeking access to the streaming service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential system instability and availability compromise. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness without requiring authentication or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible streaming environments. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to execute, as it only necessitates sending specially crafted HTTP requests with oversized header values, which can be automated using readily available tools. The DoS condition affects the entire streaming service, potentially impacting thousands of concurrent users who rely on the SHOUTcast server for audio content delivery. Organizations running vulnerable versions of SHOUTcast Server face significant risk of service interruption, which can result in loss of revenue, user dissatisfaction, and potential reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1304 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with updated SHOUTcast Server versions that include proper input validation and buffer size limits. System administrators should implement network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious HTTP header patterns and implement rate limiting to prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying application firewalls or web application firewalls that can filter out malformed HTTP requests before they reach the vulnerable server components. The implementation of proper input validation mechanisms at the application layer, including explicit bounds checking for all HTTP header fields, provides defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning to identify unpatched systems and ensure that all streaming services maintain current security updates. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures that can quickly address exploitation attempts and restore service availability while maintaining audit trails for forensic analysis.