CVE-2002-1825 in HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in PerlRTE_example1.pl in WASD 7.1, 7.2.0 through 7.2.3, and 8.0.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands or crash the server via format strings in the $name variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1825 represents a critical format string vulnerability within the Perl runtime environment of WASD 7.1, 7.2.0 through 7.2.3, and 8.0.0 versions. This flaw resides in the PerlRTE_example1.pl script and demonstrates a classic security weakness where user-supplied input is directly processed through format string functions without proper sanitization. The vulnerability occurs when the $name variable contains format specifiers that are subsequently interpreted by Perl's printf or similar functions, creating an opportunity for malicious input to manipulate program execution flow. Such format string vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-134 classification, which specifically addresses the use of format strings with user-controlled data, making them a well-documented and dangerous class of vulnerability in software security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected server by crafting malicious input that contains format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x within the $name variable. When the application processes this input through vulnerable format string functions, attackers can manipulate memory contents, overwrite function pointers, or inject malicious code into the running process. The impact extends beyond mere command execution to include potential server crashes, denial of service conditions, and complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers leverage format string vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code through interpreted languages like Perl.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1825 is severe for organizations running affected WASD versions, as it provides a direct pathway for remote code execution without requiring authentication or privileged access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain full control over the affected server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the WASD platform, indicating it was likely present in the codebase for an extended period, giving attackers ample opportunity to discover and exploit it. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and system disruption, particularly in environments where these applications are exposed to untrusted network traffic.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected WASD versions to the latest security releases that address the format string handling in PerlRTE_example1.pl. System administrators should also implement input validation controls to sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly when dealing with format string operations. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to affected applications, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect suspicious input patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application-level protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to make exploitation more difficult, though these are secondary measures to proper input sanitization and patching. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and regular security updates in preventing successful exploitation of format string vulnerabilities.