CVE-2002-1907 in SimpleWebServer
Summary
by MITRE
TelCondex SimpleWebServer 2.06.20817 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 • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1907 affects TelCondex SimpleWebServer version 2.06.20817, representing a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests through excessive input handling in HTTP GET requests. This issue falls under the broader category of software flaws that can lead to system instability and service disruption, with implications extending beyond simple application crashes to potential system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks without requiring authentication or prior access to the system, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt services. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in input validation and memory management within the web server implementation, where the system fails to properly handle excessively long request strings that exceed allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts an HTTP GET request containing an abnormally long string of characters that exceeds the buffer capacity allocated for processing such requests. This overflow condition typically results in memory corruption that causes the web server process to terminate unexpectedly, leading to a complete service outage. The flaw is classified as a buffer overflow according to CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though it may also relate to CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflows depending on the exact memory layout. The attack vector operates entirely over the network without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers. The vulnerability is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate service disruption to encompass potential business continuity implications and security risk exposure. Organizations relying on TelCondex SimpleWebServer may experience unplanned downtime that affects customer access to services, potentially leading to financial losses and reputation damage. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making traditional network perimeter defenses insufficient for protection. System administrators may also face challenges in identifying and mitigating the attack, as the symptoms manifest as unexplained service failures rather than clear security indicators. The flaw represents a critical weakness in the software's defensive posture and highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in server-side applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1907 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates or patches provided by the vendor, as well as implementing network-level protections to limit the impact of such attacks. Organizations should deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying abnormal HTTP request patterns and consider implementing rate limiting or request size restrictions at network boundaries. The vulnerability underscores the need for robust input validation mechanisms and proper memory management practices that prevent buffer overflows from occurring in the first place. Security teams should also consider implementing application-level firewalls or web application firewalls that can filter out malformed requests before they reach the vulnerable web server. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network services and applications, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against both known and emerging threats.