CVE-2004-1744 in Easy File Sharing Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Easy File Sharing (EFS) Webserver 1.25 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption or crash) via many large HTTP requests.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1744 affects Easy File Sharing Webserver version 1.25, a lightweight web server designed for small-scale file sharing operations. This particular flaw represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that exploits the server's handling of HTTP request processing. The vulnerability manifests when the web server receives multiple large HTTP requests simultaneously, leading to excessive cpu consumption or system crashes that render the service unavailable to legitimate users. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal sophistication and can be executed remotely, making it accessible to a broad range of threat actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and resource management within the web server's request handling mechanism. When multiple large HTTP requests are processed concurrently, the server fails to properly manage memory allocation and processing resources, resulting in a gradual degradation of system performance that eventually leads to complete service exhaustion. This behavior aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" as a fundamental weakness in software design that can lead to denial of service conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the server does not implement proper rate limiting or request size restrictions that would prevent resource exhaustion attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Easy File Sharing Webserver for their file sharing needs. The remote nature of the attack means that malicious actors can exploit the vulnerability from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access or elevated privileges. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affecting business continuity, especially in environments where file sharing services are critical for operations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform sustained denial of service attacks that may require manual intervention to restore normal service operations. The vulnerability also represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks, as the compromised system may provide opportunities for further exploitation or reconnaissance activities.
The threat landscape surrounding this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers "Toggle System Audit Logging" and related denial of service operations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network-level rate limiting, firewall rules to restrict excessive request volumes, and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on abnormal request patterns that exceed normal operational thresholds. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to a newer version of the web server software that addresses these resource management issues or migrating to more robust, well-maintained web server solutions that follow modern security practices and have established vulnerability management processes.