CVE-2003-1247 in H-Sphere
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in H-Sphere WebShell 2.3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long URL content type in CGI::readFile, (2) a long path in diskusage, and (3) a long fname in flist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1247 represents a critical security flaw in H-Sphere WebShell 2.3 that exposes multiple buffer overflow conditions affecting core system components. This vulnerability classifies under CWE-121 which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The affected components include CGI::readFile, diskusage, and flist functions that process user-supplied input without adequate validation mechanisms. These buffer overflows occur when the application fails to properly validate input length before copying data into fixed-size memory buffers, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged for remote code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within three distinct functions that handle file operations and system queries. In the CGI::readFile component, attackers can craft malicious URLs containing excessive content type information that exceeds buffer capacity during processing. The diskusage function suffers from similar overflow conditions when processing long path arguments that exceed allocated memory boundaries. The flist function demonstrates the same vulnerability pattern when handling lengthy fname parameters. These conditions represent classic stack-based buffer overflow scenarios where attacker-controlled data is copied into insufficiently sized local buffers, potentially allowing execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-1247 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to enable full system compromise through remote code execution capabilities. Attackers exploiting these vulnerabilities can potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, escalate privileges, and establish persistent access to compromised systems. The remote nature of the attack vectors means that exploitation can occur from any network location without requiring physical access to the target system. This vulnerability particularly affects web hosting environments where H-Sphere WebShell serves as the primary interface for managing web applications and hosting services, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this platform for their hosting infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1247 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of input validation controls. Organizations must apply vendor-provided security updates to resolve the buffer overflow conditions in CGI::readFile, diskusage, and flist functions. Additionally, implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms and input sanitization procedures can help prevent exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit potential attack surface, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous URL patterns or file operation requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious network traffic patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts, following established security frameworks such as those outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for defensive strategies against such exploitation techniques.