CVE-2004-2299 in OmniHTTPD
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Omnicron OmniHTTPd 3.0a and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an HTTP GET request with a long Range header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2299 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Omnicron OmniHTTPd version 3.0a and earlier implementations. This security weakness specifically manifests when the web server processes HTTP GET requests containing excessively long Range headers, creating a condition where attacker-controlled input exceeds the bounds of allocated memory buffers. The flaw exists at the application layer of the network stack, specifically within the HTTP request parsing mechanism that handles range requests for partial content retrieval. Such buffer overflows typically occur when developers fail to properly validate input length before copying data into fixed-size buffers, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow attack pattern where remote adversaries craft specially malformed HTTP requests containing Range headers exceeding the buffer capacity. When the OmniHTTPd server processes these requests, the excessive input causes memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures within the program execution flow. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect program execution to arbitrary code locations, effectively allowing remote code execution with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that can occur during dynamic memory allocation processes. The attack vector requires only a single HTTP GET request with an oversized Range header, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without authentication or prior access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2299 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Once exploited, attackers can gain unauthorized access to sensitive server resources, install backdoors, modify or delete critical files, and establish persistent access points for future exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects organizations running legacy OmniHTTPd implementations, particularly those in environments where web servers handle untrusted user input without proper sanitization mechanisms. This flaw represents a significant risk to web application security and can result in data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations under various regulatory frameworks including pci dss and hipaa requirements. The attack surface is broad since any system running affected OmniHTTPd versions and accepting HTTP requests becomes a potential target, especially in environments where automated scanning tools continuously probe for such vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2299 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and software updates. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to OmniHTTPd versions that contain patched implementations of the Range header processing logic, as this represents the most effective long-term solution. Network administrators should implement input validation measures at the perimeter level, including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed HTTP requests containing oversized Range headers. The implementation of stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and other exploit mitigation techniques can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these are considered temporary solutions while the underlying software vulnerability remains unpatched. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected OmniHTTPd versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software implementations and following secure coding practices that prevent buffer overflow conditions through proper input length validation and memory management techniques. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through the manipulation of input parameters and buffer overflow conditions that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and persistent access to target systems.