CVE-2002-2216 in 04webserver
Summary
by MITRE
Soft3304 04WebServer before 1.20 does not properly process URL strings, which allows remote attackers to obtain unspecified sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2216 affects Soft3304 04WebServer version 1.20 and earlier, representing a significant security flaw in web server implementation that stems from inadequate URL string processing mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of improper input validation and can be classified as a weakness in the application's handling of Uniform Resource Locator constructs, which are fundamental to web communication protocols. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the web server fails to properly sanitize or process URL strings, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system's response handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation flaw resides in how the 04WebServer processes incoming HTTP requests containing specially crafted URL parameters or path sequences. When remote attackers submit malformed or unexpected URL strings to the server, the system does not adequately validate or sanitize these inputs before processing them, leading to potential information disclosure vulnerabilities. This behavior can be attributed to the server's insufficient boundary checking and input sanitization routines that are essential for preventing various forms of injection attacks and unauthorized data access. The vulnerability represents a classic example of a buffer overflow or improper input handling issue that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive server information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to system internals, configuration details, or other sensitive data that should remain protected from unauthorized access. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to gather intelligence about the server environment, potentially identifying system configurations, file structures, or other data that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified sensitive information exposure means that attackers could gain access to various system details that might not be immediately obvious but could significantly compromise the overall security posture of the affected system.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with several common attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and reconnaissance activities. The weakness could enable attackers to perform information gathering operations that would typically precede more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within a network. Organizations implementing this web server software should consider the vulnerability's potential to serve as a stepping stone for more comprehensive attacks, making immediate remediation crucial for maintaining system integrity. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation as outlined in CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental security concern that can lead to various downstream security issues.
Mitigation strategies should focus on updating the 04WebServer to version 1.20 or later, where the URL processing issues have been addressed through improved input validation mechanisms. System administrators should also implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious URL patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web server configurations to identify any other potential input validation weaknesses that could be exploited in similar ways. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to ensure that such vulnerabilities are addressed promptly and prevent similar issues from arising in other components of the web infrastructure.