CVE-2002-1212 in Webserver 4 All
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in RadioBird Software WebServer 4 Everyone 1.23 and 1.27, and other versions before 1.30, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long HTTP GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1212 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting RadioBird Software WebServer 4 Everyone versions 1.23 and 1.27, along with other predecessors prior to version 1.30. This security weakness resides in the web server's handling of HTTP GET requests, where insufficient input validation permits malicious actors to exploit memory management issues through crafted long requests. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the server fails to properly bounds-check incoming data before processing it. This particular implementation flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The attack vector requires only a remote connection to the vulnerable web server, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as the buffer overflow can potentially lead to complete system crashes and service unavailability for legitimate users. When an attacker crafts an HTTP GET request containing excessive data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, the web server process terminates unexpectedly, causing immediate service disruption. This behavior aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, where adversaries exploit software vulnerabilities to disrupt services. The specific nature of the flaw means that even a single malicious request can bring down the entire web server instance, making it a high-impact vulnerability for any organization relying on this software. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of operational disruption, potential data loss, and reputational damage from service outages that can last from minutes to hours depending on the recovery process.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1212 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems to version 1.30 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement firewall rules and intrusion prevention systems to monitor and block suspicious HTTP GET requests that exceed normal length parameters, effectively creating a defense-in-depth approach. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and prevent malformed requests before they reach the vulnerable web server. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper memory management in web server implementations, as outlined in security standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Special Publication 800-125. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable components within the organization's infrastructure, as similar buffer overflow issues may exist in other software components. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in service availability and process crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts, while incident response procedures should be updated to include specific protocols for handling buffer overflow exploits targeting web server applications.