CVE-2004-2086 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in results.stm for Sambar Server before the 6.0 production release allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an HTTP POST request with a long query parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2086 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in the results.stm component of Sambar Server versions prior to the 6.0 production release. This vulnerability resides within the server's handling of HTTP POST requests and specifically targets the processing of query parameters that are passed through web forms or application interfaces. The flaw manifests when an attacker submits a malformed HTTP POST request containing an excessively long query parameter, which then triggers the buffer overflow condition in the application's memory management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages a classic stack-based buffer overflow attack vector where the application fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer allocated on the stack. When the query parameter exceeds the predetermined buffer capacity, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the stack frame and overwriting critical control information such as return addresses. This memory corruption can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, denial of service conditions, or in more severe cases, the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on Sambar Server for web hosting or application delivery services. The remote nature of the attack means that malicious actors can exploit this flaw from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or authentication credentials. The potential for both denial of service and arbitrary code execution creates a dual threat scenario where attackers can either disrupt services completely or gain unauthorized access to the underlying system. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the web server, making it particularly dangerous for mission-critical applications and services that depend on continuous availability.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1499 for disruption of services. The remediation strategy involves immediate patching of the Sambar Server software to version 6.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly validate input lengths and prevent buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should also implement network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems that can detect and block malformed HTTP POST requests, along with regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications and server components. Additionally, application-level protections including input validation, proper error handling, and memory safety checks should be implemented as defensive measures to mitigate the risk of similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the broader application ecosystem.