CVE-2002-0297 in ScriptEase Webserver
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ScriptEase MiniWeb Server 0.95 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long URL in an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0297 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ScriptEase MiniWeb Server version 0.95, a lightweight web server implementation that was widely used in embedded systems and early web applications. This vulnerability resides in the server's handling of HTTP requests, specifically when processing Uniform Resource Locators that exceed predetermined buffer limits. The flaw manifests when the server receives an HTTP request containing an excessively long URL, causing the application to overwrite adjacent memory regions beyond the allocated buffer space. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which encompasses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious HTTP request with an overly long URL parameter that exceeds the server's buffer capacity. When the MiniWeb Server processes this malformed request, the buffer overflow occurs during the parsing or handling of the URL string, leading to unpredictable memory corruption. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the memory corruption can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Attackers can manipulate the overwritten memory locations to redirect program execution flow, effectively allowing them to inject and run malicious code with the privileges of the web server process. This vulnerability demonstrates the classic characteristics of a stack-based buffer overflow that can be exploited through the manipulation of input parameters in network services.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0297 is significant for organizations utilizing ScriptEase MiniWeb Server 0.95, particularly in environments where embedded systems or legacy applications remain operational. The vulnerability can result in immediate system crashes and service disruptions, creating denial of service conditions that can affect availability. More critically, successful exploitation can provide attackers with unauthorized access to the affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in embedded environments where system updates may be infrequent or impossible, leaving devices vulnerable to exploitation for extended periods. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects any system running the vulnerable version of the MiniWeb Server, including various network appliances, routers, and embedded devices that utilize this web server component.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate protection and long-term remediation. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the ScriptEase MiniWeb Server, as vendors would have released updates addressing the buffer overflow issue. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed HTTP requests containing excessively long URLs. Additionally, input validation measures should be implemented at network boundaries to filter out suspicious URL lengths before they reach the vulnerable server. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper bounds checking in network service implementations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services through input validation flaws. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.