CVE-2004-1168 in MaxDB
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the WebDav handler in MaxDB WebTools 7.5.00.18 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long Overwrite header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1168 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the WebDav handler component of MaxDB WebTools version 7.5.00.18 and earlier releases. This security weakness resides in the web-based administration interface that manages SAP MaxDB database systems, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this database management platform. The flaw specifically manifests when processing HTTP requests containing a specially crafted Overwrite header parameter, which triggers the buffer overflow condition in the application's memory management routines.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the WebDav handler's processing logic. When a remote attacker submits a malicious HTTP request containing an excessively long Overwrite header value, the application fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow scenario occurs because the software does not verify that the incoming data length exceeds the allocated buffer capacity, allowing the overflow to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities in cybersecurity assessments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or application crashes, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the privileges of the web server process. This remote code execution vulnerability enables attackers to gain full control over the database server, potentially leading to data theft, unauthorized database modifications, service disruption, and lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The attack vector requires only a simple HTTP request with a crafted Overwrite header, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without authentication or specialized tools. The vulnerability is especially concerning in enterprise environments where database servers often run with elevated privileges and contain sensitive organizational data.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the WebDav interface, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HTTP request patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services, with potential techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for executing malicious commands. Security administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter out malformed Overwrite headers and establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous access patterns. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs, as this flaw was present in widely deployed versions of the software and demonstrates the critical need for timely patch management processes. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive risk assessments to determine the attack surface and implement proper access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable components to untrusted networks.