CVE-2003-0125 in Routefinder 550
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the web interface for SOHO Routefinder 550 before firmware 4.63 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (reboot) and execute arbitrary code via a long GET /OPTIONS value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0125 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the web interface of SOHO Routefinder 550 network devices. This issue affects all versions prior to firmware revision 4.63 and demonstrates a classic security weakness that has persisted in network infrastructure equipment for over two decades. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing HTTP GET requests containing excessively long OPTIONS parameter values, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise device integrity and operational availability.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the web server component of the Routefinder 550's firmware, where input validation fails to properly constrain the length of the OPTIONS parameter in HTTP GET requests. When an attacker sends a malformed request with an abnormally long OPTIONS value, the device's web interface processes this input without adequate bounds checking, leading to memory corruption that overflows the allocated buffer space. This memory corruption directly impacts the device's execution flow, enabling attackers to manipulate the program's control structure and potentially execute arbitrary code within the device's operational environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to force device reboots, effectively creating persistent denial of service conditions that disrupt network connectivity for end users and network administrators. More critically, the buffer overflow condition allows for arbitrary code execution, which can enable attackers to gain complete control over the device's operational functions, potentially leading to data exfiltration, network infiltration, or further attacks against connected systems. This vulnerability particularly affects small office/home office environments where such devices often serve as primary network gateways without adequate security monitoring or patch management procedures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0125 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation measures. Organizations should immediately upgrade all affected SOHO Routefinder 550 devices to firmware version 4.63 or later, which includes proper input validation and buffer size restrictions. Network administrators should also implement access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, particularly by placing them behind firewalls or network segmentation controls that restrict direct internet access. Additional defensive measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious HTTP GET requests with unusually long parameter values and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation can create severe security implications in network infrastructure devices. This issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1210, which covers exploitation of remote services through buffer overflow vulnerabilities, demonstrating how such flaws can be leveraged for initial access and privilege escalation within network environments.