CVE-2003-1144 in LiteServe
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the log viewing interface in Perception LiteServe 1.25 through 2.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a GET request with a long file name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1144 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Perception LiteServe web server software version 1.25 through 2.2. This issue specifically affects the log viewing interface component of the application, which serves as a web-based tool for administrators to review server logs and monitor system activities. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and memory management within the software's handling of file names in GET requests. When a remote attacker submits a GET request containing an excessively long file name parameter, the application fails to properly validate the input length, leading to a buffer overflow condition in the memory allocation used for processing these requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow attack pattern where the attacker crafts a malicious GET request with a file name that exceeds the allocated buffer size in the application's memory space. This overflow occurs in the log viewing interface component that processes file names for display purposes, allowing the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates over the network without requiring authentication, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected server. The buffer overflow enables attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-1144 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the network infrastructure. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive system information, potential privilege escalation to administrative accounts, and the ability to use the compromised server as a launch point for further attacks against internal network resources. The vulnerability affects organizations using Perception LiteServe for web server operations, particularly those with exposed web interfaces or those that have not implemented proper network segmentation. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a common weakness in C/C++ applications where fixed-size buffers are used without proper bounds checking. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting weaknesses in software applications to execute malicious code remotely.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Perception LiteServe software to version 2.3 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes and input validation improvements. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected web server, deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that all web server software components are regularly updated and that input validation is implemented at multiple layers of the application architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in preventing buffer overflow attacks, which remain one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities in web applications.