CVE-2002-0123 in 4D Webserver
Summary
by MITRE
MDG Computer Services Web Server 4D WS4D/eCommerce 3.0 and earlier, and possibly 3.5.3, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary commands via a long HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0123 affects the MDG Computer Services Web Server version 4D WS4D/eCommerce 3.0 and earlier, with potential impact extending to version 3.5.3. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests through malformed HTTP request handling, demonstrating a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management within the web server implementation. The vulnerability resides in the server's inability to properly handle excessively long HTTP requests, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit this weakness to disrupt service availability and potentially gain unauthorized system access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP request length parameters, specifically targeting the server's request parsing mechanism. When an attacker submits an HTTP request that exceeds the allocated buffer size, the web server experiences memory corruption that can lead to application crashes, system instability, and ultimately denial of service conditions. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The attack vector operates through the network protocol layer where HTTP requests are processed, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring local system access or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as the buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution when properly crafted. Attackers can potentially leverage this weakness to inject malicious payloads into the server's memory space, bypassing standard security controls and gaining unauthorized access to the underlying system. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of web services, making it particularly dangerous in environments where continuous service availability is critical. Organizations running affected versions of the MDG Computer Services Web Server face significant risk of service disruption and potential system compromise, especially when these servers are exposed to untrusted network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0123 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address the underlying buffer overflow condition. Organizations must implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable servers to untrusted networks, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP request patterns. The implementation of input validation controls and request length limitations can serve as additional defensive measures, though these should not be considered primary solutions. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1498, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1059, which addresses command and scripting interpreters, indicating the potential for both service disruption and execution capabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar buffer overflow conditions in other web server implementations, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.