CVE-2003-1578 in One Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Sun ONE (aka iPlanet) Web Server 4.1 through SP12 and 6.0 through SP5, when DNS resolution is enabled for client IP addresses, allows remote attackers to hide HTTP requests from the log-preview functionality by accompanying the requests with crafted DNS responses specifying a domain name beginning with a "format=" substring, related to an "Inverse Lookup Log Corruption (ILLC)" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1578 represents a critical flaw in Sun ONE Web Server versions 4.1 through SP12 and 6.0 through SP5 that stems from improper handling of DNS resolution during HTTP request processing. This issue specifically manifests when the web server has DNS resolution enabled for client IP addresses, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate server logging mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under the category of log manipulation and information disclosure, with potential implications for security monitoring and incident response capabilities.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the Inverse Lookup Log Corruption (ILLC) issue where attackers can craft specific DNS responses that contain domain names beginning with the substring "format=". When the web server processes these crafted responses during DNS resolution, it inadvertently corrupts the logging functionality by interpreting the format string as a log formatting directive rather than a standard domain name. This misinterpretation occurs because the server's logging subsystem does not properly sanitize or validate the DNS response data before incorporating it into log entries, leading to the injection of malicious formatting instructions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple log manipulation to potentially compromise security monitoring systems that rely on accurate logging for threat detection and forensic analysis. Attackers can effectively hide their presence by making their HTTP requests appear as legitimate traffic in server logs, while simultaneously corrupting the log preview functionality that administrators use to monitor incoming requests. This creates a situation where security teams may be misled by corrupted log data, potentially allowing malicious activities to go undetected for extended periods. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-174, which addresses the weakness of insufficient logging or improper log formatting, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1562.006 for "Impair Defenses: Obfuscated Files or Information" through its ability to manipulate logging mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of several protective measures including disabling DNS resolution for client IP addresses when not essential, implementing proper input validation and sanitization of DNS response data, and configuring the web server to reject or filter domain names containing suspicious formatting patterns. Organizations should also consider upgrading to patched versions of the Sun ONE Web Server software, as Sun released specific updates addressing this vulnerability. Network-level controls such as DNS filtering and monitoring for unusual DNS response patterns can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in security-critical systems and highlights the need for robust logging mechanisms that can resist manipulation attempts. Security teams should also implement comprehensive monitoring of log integrity and establish alerting mechanisms for log corruption indicators to detect potential exploitation attempts.