CVE-2002-0385 in Storyserver
Summary
by MITRE
Vignette Story Server 4.1 and 6.0 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a request that contains a large number of " (double quote) and and > characters, which causes the TCL interpreter to crash and include stack data in the output.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0385 affects Vignette Story Server versions 4.1 and 6.0, representing a classic input validation flaw that exposes the underlying TCL interpreter to malicious manipulation. This issue stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters, specifically when the application receives requests containing excessive double quote and greater than characters. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where the TCL scripting interpreter processes malformed input without proper bounds checking or sanitization mechanisms. When the system encounters these excessive special characters, the interpreter experiences a crash condition that inadvertently leaks stack memory contents into the application's output response. This behavior creates a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain insights into the system's memory structure and potentially uncover system architecture details.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input handling that aligns with CWE-20, which encompasses improper input validation issues. The attack vector leverages the TCL interpreter's behavior when processing malformed input, causing an uncontrolled crash that results in information leakage rather than simply a denial of service. This particular variant of the vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure through crash analysis, where the system's failure mode inadvertently reveals sensitive data. The exploitation technique involves crafting a specific payload containing numerous consecutive quote and greater than characters that overwhelm the interpreter's processing capabilities, triggering the crash and subsequent data leakage. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to unintended information exposure, particularly when the application's error handling mechanisms are not properly designed to prevent data leakage.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0385 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked stack data can provide attackers with valuable insights into the application's internal state and memory layout. This information can be leveraged to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting other vulnerabilities within the same system or to develop targeted exploits that take advantage of the leaked memory addresses and system structures. The vulnerability affects web applications that rely on TCL for dynamic content generation, potentially exposing sensitive configuration details, internal data structures, and system memory patterns. Attackers can use the leaked information to better understand the application's behavior and identify potential entry points for further exploitation. The vulnerability also represents a risk to system integrity since the crash condition can be used to disrupt normal application operation while simultaneously providing attackers with valuable reconnaissance data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent malformed characters from reaching the TCL interpreter. The most effective approach involves configuring the application to properly escape or filter special characters before processing user input, ensuring that the TCL interpreter never receives potentially harmful sequences. Organizations should also implement proper error handling procedures that prevent sensitive information from being included in application responses, regardless of how the system fails. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional protection layers that detect and block malicious payloads before they reach vulnerable components. System administrators should also consider upgrading to patched versions of Vignette Story Server that address this specific input validation flaw and implement monitoring to detect unusual request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and secure error handling practices in preventing information disclosure through system failure modes, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation through system information gathering.