CVE-2004-0313 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in PSOProxy 0.91 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long HTTP request, as demonstrated using a long (1) GET argument or (2) method name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0313 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within PSOProxy version 0.91, a network proxy application designed to handle HTTP requests. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or limit the length of incoming HTTP request parameters. The flaw specifically manifests when the proxy processes HTTP GET arguments or method names that exceed predetermined buffer size limits, creating exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs at the application layer where PSOProxy fails to enforce strict bounds checking on user-supplied input data. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request containing an excessively long GET argument or method name, the proxy application attempts to store this data in a fixed-size buffer without proper overflow protection. This condition allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which directly violates secure coding principles and represents a fundamental flaw in memory management practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential complete system compromise. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the proxy service account, which typically runs with elevated permissions. The denial of service component occurs when the buffer overflow causes the proxy application to crash or become unresponsive, disrupting legitimate network traffic and potentially affecting downstream services that depend on the proxy functionality. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain system access through remote code execution capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0313 require immediate patching of the PSOProxy application to version 0.92 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections and input validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable proxy systems to untrusted networks. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection capabilities can help identify exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should also include comprehensive input validation testing to ensure that all HTTP request parameters are properly bounded and sanitized before processing. Security teams must conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other network applications and ensure adherence to secure coding standards throughout the software development lifecycle.