CVE-2003-0117 in Biztalk Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the HTTP receiver function (BizTalkHTTPReceive.dll ISAPI) of Microsoft BizTalk Server 2002 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a certain request to the HTTP receiver.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0117 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Microsoft BizTalk Server 2002's HTTP receiver component. This security weakness resides in the BizTalkHTTPReceive.dll ISAPI extension which processes incoming HTTP requests destined for the BizTalk Server environment. The flaw manifests when the HTTP receiver function fails to properly validate input lengths, creating a condition where maliciously crafted requests can overflow allocated memory buffers and potentially overwrite adjacent memory regions. This particular vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when data exceeds the bounds of a fixed-length buffer allocated on the stack. The affected component operates at the ISAPI level, making it accessible through standard HTTP protocols and presenting a significant attack surface for malicious actors targeting enterprise integration platforms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables remote code execution capabilities through carefully constructed HTTP requests that trigger the buffer overflow condition within the BizTalkHTTPReceive.dll module. When an attacker sends a malformed request containing excessive data to the HTTP receiver endpoint, the insufficient input validation causes the buffer to overflow, potentially allowing the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the BizTalk Server process. The attack vector specifically targets the ISAPI extension's handling of HTTP request parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web-based attacks without requiring specialized tools or extensive system knowledge. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which encompasses the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain remote code execution, and represents a classic example of how buffer overflows can be leveraged for privilege escalation and system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0117 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breach scenarios within enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing BizTalk Server 2002 face significant risks as this vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to business-critical integration platforms that often handle sensitive enterprise data. The vulnerability affects the core messaging and integration capabilities of BizTalk Server, potentially disrupting business processes and enabling attackers to establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. Given that BizTalk Server typically operates in production environments handling confidential business transactions, the exploitation of this vulnerability could result in substantial financial losses, regulatory compliance violations, and damage to organizational reputation. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects the HTTP receiver function which is commonly exposed to external networks for integration purposes, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0117 should prioritize immediate patch application from Microsoft as the primary defense mechanism, given that this vulnerability was addressed through security updates released in 2003. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to BizTalk Server components and restrict HTTP receiver functionality to trusted networks only. Input validation measures should be enhanced at the network level through firewalls and web application firewalls to filter out potentially malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable ISAPI extension. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be implemented to detect anomalous HTTP request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure software development. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems, as this vulnerability represents a common pattern in older software architectures that may contain similar flaws in other components or applications. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address ISAPI-based vulnerabilities in enterprise integration platforms.