CVE-2004-2376 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in postfile.exe for Twilight Utilities Web Server 2.0.0.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a URL request with a long attfile attribute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2376 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the postfile.exe component of Twilight Utilities Web Server version 2.0.0.0. This issue arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle excessively long string values in the attfile attribute of URL requests. The flaw exists at the application layer and specifically targets the web server's file upload handling functionality, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on file processing capabilities. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when more data is written to a fixed-length buffer than it can accommodate, leading to memory corruption and potential code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious URL request that contains an overly long attfile parameter value, which when processed by the vulnerable postfile.exe component causes the buffer to overflow. This overflow can result in the corruption of adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing remote attackers to overwrite critical program execution pointers or return addresses. The attack vector is remote and does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution and T1499 - Endpoint Termination, as it enables both arbitrary code execution and system disruption through denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially provide attackers with complete system compromise capabilities, making it a high-severity issue that requires immediate remediation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests in both immediate denial of service conditions and potential long-term security compromises. When exploited, the buffer overflow causes the web server to crash and terminate its processes, resulting in complete service unavailability for legitimate users. However, the more severe implications arise from the possibility of arbitrary code execution, which could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to the server environment, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors. Organizations running affected versions of Twilight Utilities Web Server face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and operational disruption. The vulnerability affects systems where the web server handles file upload operations, making it particularly relevant for content management systems, file sharing platforms, and any web applications that process user-supplied file data. Given the age of this vulnerability and the lack of vendor support for the affected version, organizations must implement immediate mitigations including server patching, network segmentation, and application firewalls to prevent exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2376 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates or patches from the vendor, although support for this specific version may be limited. Network-based protections such as intrusion prevention systems and web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests containing overly long attfile parameters. Implementing input validation measures at the application level to enforce reasonable length limits for URL parameters and file names provides an additional layer of defense. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable web server components and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. The remediation process must also include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not introduce compatibility issues with existing web applications while maintaining the security posture of the overall infrastructure.