CVE-2002-2400 in LibHTTPD
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the httpdProcessRequest function in LibHTTPD 1.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long HTTP POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2400 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the LibHTTPD 1.2 web server library that affects the httpdProcessRequest function. This issue arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle excessively long HTTP POST requests, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions in the application's execution space. The vulnerability operates at the core of web server request processing, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard HTTP communication protocols without requiring special privileges or authentication. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts an HTTP POST request containing an abnormally long payload that exceeds the allocated buffer size within the httpdProcessRequest function. When the web server processes this malformed request, the excessive data overflows into adjacent memory areas, potentially corrupting critical program state information including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures. This memory corruption can result in immediate application crash and denial of service conditions, but more critically, it can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow to attacker-controlled code, enabling arbitrary code execution on the vulnerable system. The attack vector requires only a standard HTTP client capable of sending POST requests, making it particularly accessible and dangerous in networked environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-2400 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. Organizations running web applications that utilize LibHTTPD 1.2 are at risk of complete system takeover if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, as the buffer overflow can be weaponized to inject and execute malicious code within the web server process context. The vulnerability affects systems where LibHTTPD is used as a standalone web server or integrated into larger applications, creating widespread exposure across various deployment scenarios. Additionally, the denial of service aspect can be leveraged for persistent disruption attacks, where attackers repeatedly exploit the flaw to maintain system unavailability, impacting business continuity and service level agreements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems with updated versions of LibHTTPD that implement proper input validation and buffer boundary checking mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious HTTP POST requests with unusually long payloads, while also deploying application firewalls that can filter malformed requests before they reach the vulnerable application code. The implementation of stack protection mechanisms, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack protections can provide additional defense-in-depth measures that would make exploitation more difficult even if the underlying buffer overflow remains unpatched. This vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in networked applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1499.004 for network denial of service, while also demonstrating the need for secure coding practices that prevent buffer overflow conditions as outlined in CWE-121 and related memory corruption vulnerabilities.