CVE-2002-2431 in WebServer
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in GoAhead WebServer before 2.1.4 allows remote attackers to cause "incorrect behavior" via unknown "malicious code," related to incorrect use of the socketInputBuffered function by sockGen.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2431 represents a critical security flaw within the GoAhead WebServer software ecosystem prior to version 2.1.4. This unspecified vulnerability manifests through improper handling of socket input buffering operations, specifically involving the socketInputBuffered function implementation within the sockGen.c module. The nature of this vulnerability remains somewhat obscure in its exact manifestation, but it fundamentally compromises the server's ability to properly process incoming network data streams. Security researchers have noted that such issues typically arise from inadequate input validation and buffer management practices that can lead to unpredictable system behavior and potential exploitation opportunities.
The technical flaw stems from incorrect usage patterns within the socketInputBuffered function, which is responsible for managing how data flows through network sockets in the web server's communication layer. When malicious code attempts to interact with the vulnerable web server, the improper buffer handling can result in memory corruption or unexpected execution paths that deviate from normal operational procedures. This function's incorrect implementation creates a pathway where attacker-controlled input can manipulate the server's internal state, leading to the described "incorrect behavior" that may include denial of service conditions or potential code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects the fundamental network communication mechanisms that enable the web server to process HTTP requests from remote clients.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on GoAhead WebServer versions earlier than 2.1.4 for their web hosting infrastructure. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability means that attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to cause system instability, application crashes, or even gain unauthorized access to the underlying system. The fact that this issue relates to socket input buffering suggests that any network-based attacks targeting the web server could trigger the vulnerable code path, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the server processes untrusted input from external sources. Organizations may experience service disruptions, data integrity issues, or potential escalation of privileges depending on how the vulnerability is actually exploited in practice.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through software version upgrades to GoAhead WebServer 2.1.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the socketInputBuffered function implementation. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected software and prioritize their remediation efforts accordingly. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable web servers to untrusted networks, while also monitoring for anomalous network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns associated with attempts to trigger the specific socket buffering vulnerability, as the attack vectors may involve carefully crafted network traffic designed to exploit the buffer management flaw. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 and CWE-131 categories related to improper input validation and buffer overflow conditions, and could potentially map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service through system resource manipulation.