CVE-2002-1489 in PlanetWeb
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in PlanetDNS PlanetWeb 1.14 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) an HTTP GET request with a long URL or (2) a request with a long method name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1489 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within PlanetDNS PlanetWeb version 1.14 and earlier systems. This security weakness resides in the web server component's handling of HTTP requests, specifically when processing malformed input data. The buffer overflow occurs when the system fails to properly validate the length of incoming HTTP method names or URL parameters, allowing malicious actors to craft specially designed requests that exceed the allocated buffer space. This fundamental programming error creates an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic stack-based buffer overflow scenario that aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory. The attack vectors involve two primary methods of exploitation: first, through HTTP GET requests containing excessively long URLs that exceed the buffer capacity allocated for URL parsing, and second, through requests with method names that surpass the predetermined buffer limits. Both attack vectors leverage the lack of input validation and proper boundary checking mechanisms within the PlanetWeb application's HTTP request processing pipeline. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, enabling remote code execution from any internet-connected attacker.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on PlanetDNS PlanetWeb services, as it allows remote attackers to gain complete control over affected systems without requiring prior access credentials. The implications extend beyond simple system compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to data theft, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, system takeover, and potential data breaches, as the buffer overflow can be leveraged to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the web server process. The impact is compounded by the fact that this vulnerability affects the core web server functionality, potentially compromising all services hosted on the affected system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1489 should prioritize immediate patching of the PlanetDNS PlanetWeb software to version 1.15 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement network-level protections through firewall rules that limit HTTP request sizes and implement rate limiting to prevent exploitation attempts. The implementation of input validation measures, including length checking for HTTP method names and URL parameters, provides additional defense-in-depth layers. Security monitoring should include detection of unusually long HTTP requests and potential exploitation attempts. System hardening practices, such as running the web server with minimal privileges and implementing proper memory protection mechanisms like stack canaries, can reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other applications and systems within their environment, following the principles of secure coding practices outlined in the software security standards.