CVE-2002-1309 in ColdFusion
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the error-handling mechanism for the IIS ISAPI handler in Macromedia ColdFusion 6.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary via an HTTP GET request with a long .cfm file name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1309 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the Internet Information Services ISAPI handler of Macromedia ColdFusion 6.0. This flaw exists specifically within the error-handling mechanism that processes requests for ColdFusion Markup Language files with the .cfm extension. The vulnerability manifests when the system encounters an HTTP GET request containing an excessively long filename extension, causing the application to allocate insufficient memory on the heap for processing the malformed request. The buffer overflow occurs because the ISAPI handler fails to properly validate the length of the requested filename before attempting to process it, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This particular vulnerability resides in the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a memory safety issue under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any internet user who can access the vulnerable web server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. When a maliciously crafted HTTP GET request is submitted with an overly long .cfm filename, the buffer overflow can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory structures including return addresses and function pointers. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the heap memory, effectively allowing remote code execution with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability affects the IIS web server environment specifically, as it targets the ISAPI handler component that interfaces between IIS and the ColdFusion application server. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute system commands through the compromised web application. The vulnerability also aligns with T1203 attack pattern related to legitimate credentials, as attackers could potentially escalate privileges or establish persistence within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1309 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining ColdFusion installations on IIS servers. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patches released by Macromedia, which would include updated ISAPI handler components that properly validate input lengths before processing requests. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions such as firewall rules that limit access to .cfm file extensions or implement URL rewriting rules that normalize and truncate potentially malicious filenames before they reach the vulnerable handler. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level can help prevent this specific attack vector by sanitizing all user-supplied data, particularly filenames and URI components. The use of intrusion detection systems with signature matching capabilities can also help identify attempts to exploit this vulnerability by monitoring for specific patterns in HTTP GET requests containing excessively long filename extensions. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which applications can execute on the web server, reducing the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other potentially vulnerable components within the ColdFusion application stack, as this vulnerability may indicate broader security weaknesses in the application's architecture.