CVE-2004-1169 in MaxDB
Summary
by MITRE
MaxDB WebTools 7.5.00.18 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via an HTTP GET request for a file that does not exist, followed by two carriage returns, which causes a NULL dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1169 affects MaxDB WebTools version 7.5.00.18 and earlier, representing a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the web interface component of the MaxDB database management system, which is widely used for enterprise database operations. The flaw specifically manifests when the web server component processes malformed HTTP GET requests that reference non-existent files within the system's file structure. The attack vector requires an attacker to craft a specific request pattern that includes a file path pointing to a non-existent resource followed by two carriage return characters, which triggers the application's failure to properly handle the malformed input.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions in software implementations. When MaxDB WebTools receives the crafted HTTP GET request containing the non-existent file reference followed by the carriage returns, the application's request processing logic fails to properly validate the input parameters before attempting to access memory locations. This results in the application attempting to dereference a NULL pointer, causing an unhandled exception that leads to the application crash and subsequent denial of service condition. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack and specifically targets the web interface functionality that handles file access requests, making it particularly dangerous for database administrators who rely on web-based management tools for routine operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1169 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can significantly compromise database availability and system reliability for organizations using MaxDB WebTools. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows attackers to remotely crash the web application, forcing database administrators to restart services and potentially causing data access interruptions that could affect business operations. This type of denial of service attack directly violates the availability principles of the CIA triad and can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where database management tools are integral to daily operations. The vulnerability affects systems where MaxDB WebTools is deployed with default configurations, making it accessible to attackers without requiring elevated privileges or specific system knowledge. Organizations utilizing this software in production environments face significant risk of service interruption, especially during critical business hours when database management activities are most frequent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1169 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to MaxDB WebTools version 7.5.00.19 or later, which contains patches specifically designed to address the NULL pointer dereference issue. Network-level defenses should include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malformed HTTP requests containing suspicious patterns such as multiple carriage returns following file references. Additionally, organizations should establish robust input validation procedures within their web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from manifesting in other components of their database infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for Network Denial of Service, emphasizing the importance of implementing proper application-level protections against malformed input processing. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual application crash patterns and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts, ensuring rapid response capabilities to minimize service disruption impacts.