CVE-2002-2205 in Webresolve
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Webresolve 0.1.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by connecting to the server from an IP address that resolves to a long hostname.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2205 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Webresolve version 0.1.0 and earlier implementations. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of hostname resolution during network connections, specifically when processing IP addresses that resolve to excessively long hostnames. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the hostname processing routines, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker establishes a connection to the Webresolve server using an IP address that resolves to a hostname exceeding the allocated buffer size. This buffer overflow condition typically manifests during the hostname resolution process where the application attempts to store the resolved hostname string into a fixed-size memory buffer without proper length verification. The insufficient bounds checking allows the hostname data to overflow into adjacent memory regions, potentially overwriting critical program execution structures including return addresses and function pointers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network security infrastructure as it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication or privileged access. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious IP addresses that resolve to long hostnames, effectively bypassing traditional network security controls and gaining direct access to the target system. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially allow full system compromise, data exfiltration, and establishment of persistent backdoors within the affected network environment.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations running affected Webresolve versions face substantial risk of exploitation, particularly in environments where external network access is permitted and proper network segmentation is not implemented. The exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to attackers seeking automated exploitation tools or those with limited advanced skills.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Webresolve installations to version 0.1.1 or later, which includes proper buffer size validation and bounds checking. Network administrators should implement additional protective measures including firewall rules to restrict access to the affected service, monitoring for unusual hostname resolution patterns, and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems running vulnerable versions of Webresolve or similar applications that may be susceptible to similar buffer overflow conditions. The implementation of address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts, though these should not be considered substitutes for proper patch management and input validation implementations.