CVE-2004-1804 in wMCam Server
Summary
by MITRE
wMCam server 2.1.348 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (no new connections) via multiple malformed HTTP requests without the GET command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1804 affects the wMCam server version 2.1.348, representing a significant denial of service weakness that impacts networked video surveillance systems. This flaw specifically targets the server's HTTP request handling mechanism, where the application fails to properly process malformed requests that lack the standard GET command. The vulnerability exists within the server's protocol implementation and demonstrates poor input validation practices that are commonly associated with network service vulnerabilities. According to CWE-20, this represents a classic input validation flaw where the application does not adequately sanitize or validate incoming HTTP requests before processing them. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as this vulnerability can effectively render the surveillance system unusable to legitimate users while maintaining the system's operational state.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending multiple HTTP requests that deliberately omit the GET command, which is a fundamental component of the http protocol. When the wMCam server receives these malformed requests, it fails to properly handle the unexpected input structure, causing the server to become unresponsive to new connection attempts. This behavior creates a cascading effect where legitimate users cannot establish connections to the surveillance system, effectively creating a denial of service condition. The server's inability to gracefully handle malformed requests without proper command structure demonstrates a lack of robust error handling and input sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it particularly dangerous for networked security systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise security operations in surveillance environments. Organizations relying on wMCam server for video monitoring may experience complete loss of access to their surveillance capabilities, creating security gaps during the period when the system remains unavailable. This vulnerability directly violates the availability principle of the CIA triad and can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt business continuity operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal effort to exploit, as attackers only need to send malformed HTTP requests to achieve the denial of service condition. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which describes network denial of service attacks targeting application layer protocols. The lack of proper request validation in the wMCam server implementation creates an attack surface that can be easily exploited by automated tools or malicious actors seeking to disrupt surveillance operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling within the wMCam server application. System administrators should consider applying patches or updates provided by the vendor to address the specific flaw in the HTTP request processing logic. Network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can be configured to filter malformed HTTP requests before they reach the vulnerable server. Implementing rate limiting mechanisms and connection throttling can help reduce the impact of potential denial of service attacks. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying redundant surveillance systems or implementing failover mechanisms to maintain operational continuity during potential attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper protocol implementation and input validation in network services, particularly those handling real-time data streams and security-critical applications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other networked systems that may be susceptible to similar exploitation techniques.