CVE-2003-1567 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
The undocumented TRACK method in Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) 5.0 returns the content of the original request in the body of the response, which makes it easier for remote attackers to steal cookies and authentication credentials, or bypass the HttpOnly protection mechanism, by using TRACK to read the contents of the HTTP headers that are returned in the response, a technique that is similar to cross-site tracing (XST) using HTTP TRACE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1567 represents a critical security flaw in Microsoft Internet Information Services version 5.0 that stems from an undocumented HTTP method implementation. This flaw specifically involves the TRACK method, which is not part of the standard HTTP specification but was implemented in IIS 5.0 for internal tracking purposes. The vulnerability arises from the server's improper handling of this method, where it returns the original request content in the response body, creating an unintended information disclosure channel that significantly compromises web application security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the TRACK method to extract sensitive information from HTTP headers that are typically protected from client-side access. When a malicious user sends a TRACK request to an affected IIS server, the server responds with the original request data, including authentication tokens, cookies, and other sensitive header information that should normally remain protected. This behavior directly enables what security researchers term cross-site tracing attacks, where the TRACK method essentially provides a backdoor mechanism for extracting session data and authentication credentials that would otherwise be inaccessible to client-side scripts due to browser security restrictions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it specifically undermines the HttpOnly protection mechanism that was designed to prevent client-side script access to sensitive cookies. When attackers can use the TRACK method to read HTTP headers containing authentication tokens, they effectively bypass the HttpOnly flag that should prevent JavaScript from accessing these cookies. This creates a significant vector for session hijacking attacks where malicious actors can steal active user sessions and gain unauthorized access to protected web applications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the HTTP protocol level and can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or authentication on the target system.
This vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and classifications, including CWE-200 for Information Exposure and CWE-310 for Cryptographic Issues, as it exposes sensitive information that can be used for authentication bypass. The technique employed is closely related to the ATT&CK framework's T1566.002 for Phishing with Social Engineering and T1566.001 for Spearphishing Attachments, as attackers can use this method to harvest credentials that can then be used for further exploitation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the undocumented TRACK method through IIS configuration settings, implementing proper input validation and sanitization, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious TRACK method usage. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual HTTP method usage patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.