CVE-2004-2169 in A-a-s Application Access Server
Summary
by MITRE
Application Access Server (A-A-S) 1.0.37 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a long file request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2169 affects the Application Access Server version 1.0.37 and earlier implementations, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to execute denial of service attacks against the targeted system. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the processing of malformed file requests, where an attacker can craft and submit unusually long file request payloads to trigger application instability. The affected system operates as a network access control mechanism that manages and regulates application access, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where such servers serve as critical access points for business applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the Application Access Server's request processing pipeline. When the server receives a file request containing excessive data length, the application fails to properly handle the oversized input, leading to memory corruption or stack overflow conditions that ultimately result in application termination. This flaw aligns with CWE-122, which describes buffer overflow conditions in heap-based memory management, and represents a classic example of insufficient bounds checking in input processing. The vulnerability does not require privileged access for exploitation, as it targets authenticated users who already possess valid credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where legitimate users have access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, potentially compromising the availability of critical business applications and services that depend on the Application Access Server for access control. When exploited successfully, the denial of service condition can result in complete application unavailability, forcing administrators to restart services manually and potentially disrupting business operations. Organizations relying on this server for application access control may experience significant downtime, particularly in mission-critical environments where continuous access to enterprise applications is essential. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to conduct reconnaissance activities, as they can repeatedly exploit the flaw to verify system susceptibility and potentially gather information about system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2169 should focus on immediate patch deployment, as the vendor has likely released updates addressing the input validation deficiencies. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, ensuring that only necessary users can access the vulnerable server. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that detect unusual file request patterns and automated response mechanisms can help identify and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing rate limiting and request size restrictions at the network level to prevent exploitation attempts and maintain system availability during potential attacks.