CVE-2002-0199 in SHOUTcast Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in admin.cgi for Nullsoft Shoutcast Server 1.8.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via an argument with a large number of backslashes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0199 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the admin.cgi component of Nullsoft Shoutcast Server version 1.8.3. This issue resides in the server's administrative interface scripting component that processes incoming arguments through HTTP requests. The buffer overflow occurs when the system fails to properly validate or limit the length of input parameters passed to the admin.cgi script, specifically when handling arguments containing an excessive number of backslash characters. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms that do not enforce proper bounds checking on user-supplied data before processing it within fixed-size memory buffers. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic software security weakness where insufficient validation allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability occurs when remote attackers craft malicious HTTP requests containing arguments with an excessive number of backslashes. These backslashes are processed by the vulnerable admin.cgi script without proper length constraints, causing the input to exceed the allocated buffer space. The overflow typically manifests when the argument parsing routine fails to account for the null terminator or other string processing mechanisms, allowing the excessive input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability maps directly to a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition where insufficient bounds checking enables memory corruption. The attack vector operates through the HTTP protocol, making it accessible over the network without requiring local system access, and the vulnerability affects the server's administrative interface specifically.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution on affected systems. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow can overwrite critical program execution pointers, return addresses, or other memory structures, allowing attackers to redirect program flow or inject malicious code into the server process. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for media streaming servers that typically run with elevated privileges and may be accessible from untrusted networks. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of the Shoutcast server, potentially compromising the entire streaming service and providing attackers with persistent access to the system. The flaw also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing injection flaws and insufficient input validation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected Nullsoft Shoutcast Server version 1.8.3 through official vendor updates or replacement with newer versions that contain proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the administrative interface to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface. Additional defensive measures include deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP request patterns containing excessive backslashes, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious input, and conducting regular security audits of server configurations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation practices aligned with NIST SP 800-160 guidelines for secure coding and proper memory management. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of similar vulnerabilities in other server software components.