CVE-2003-0445 in webfs
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in webfs before 1.17.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an HTTP request with a long Request-URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0445 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the webfs web server software prior to version 1.17.1. This issue resides in the handling of HTTP request URIs where the application fails to properly validate the length of incoming Request-URI headers. The flaw enables remote attackers to craft malicious HTTP requests containing excessively long URI strings that exceed the allocated buffer space in the webfs application's memory allocation. When such a malformed request is processed, the buffer overflow occurs as the application attempts to copy the oversized URI data into a fixed-size buffer, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten with attacker-controlled data. This memory corruption directly compromises the integrity of the web server process and provides a potential entry point for remote code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow attack pattern where the attacker manipulates the Request-URI field in an HTTP GET or POST request to exceed the predefined buffer limits. The webfs application's insufficient input validation means that it does not perform proper bounds checking on the length of the URI string before attempting to store it in memory. This flaw falls under the CWE-121 CWE category for stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices that violates fundamental security principles of input sanitization and memory management. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication and can be executed from any remote location, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools commonly found in exploit kits and penetration testing frameworks.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0445 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise when successful. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain arbitrary code execution privileges on the affected web server, potentially allowing for full system control, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects all versions of webfs prior to 1.17.1, making it a widespread concern for organizations running legacy web server implementations. Given that webfs is a simple web server designed for basic file serving, the attack surface is limited but the consequences are severe, as the compromised system could serve as a launching point for further network penetration or be used to host malicious content. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, specifically targeting the exploitation of buffer overflow weaknesses in web server software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0445 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Organizations should immediately upgrade to webfs version 1.17.1 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections and input validation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing network-level defenses such as intrusion detection systems and web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious URI patterns before they reach the vulnerable web server. Input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including network firewalls, load balancers, and application-level protections to create defense-in-depth measures. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable applications running on the network infrastructure. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventory and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent similar issues from occurring in other software components within the organization's attack surface.