CVE-2003-0437 in mnoGoSearch
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in search.cgi for mnoGoSearch 3.2.10 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long tmplt parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0437 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the mnoGoSearch web search application version 3.2.10. This security weakness specifically affects the search.cgi component which processes user input through the tmplt parameter. The buffer overflow occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted search request containing an excessively long tmplt parameter value that exceeds the allocated buffer space in memory. This fundamental programming error creates a condition where adjacent memory locations can be overwritten, potentially allowing malicious actors to manipulate program execution flow.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory buffers. The flaw operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through simple web requests. When the search.cgi script processes the oversized tmplt parameter, the lack of proper input validation causes the program to write data beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially corrupting stack memory and overwriting critical program execution elements such as return addresses or function pointers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to systems running affected versions of mnoGoSearch as it enables remote code execution without requiring any prior access credentials. Attackers can leverage this flaw to inject and execute arbitrary code on the vulnerable server, potentially gaining full control over the system. The impact extends beyond simple data compromise to include complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and the ability to establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects web servers hosting mnoGoSearch applications and can be exploited through standard web browser interactions or automated scanning tools, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking automated exploitation opportunities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the mnoGoSearch application to version 3.2.11 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement input validation measures to limit parameter lengths and employ web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests containing overly long parameter values. Network segmentation and access control measures can help reduce the attack surface, while regular security assessments should verify that no other applications on the system contain similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include monitoring for exploitation attempts and implementing proper logging to detect any unauthorized access attempts that may have occurred before the patch was applied, as outlined in the mitre attack framework for command and control activities. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms and regular security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in other applications.