CVE-2005-0623 in RaidenHTTPD
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in RaidenHTTPD 1.1.32, and possibly other versions before 1.1.34, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0623 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in RaidenHTTPD version 1.1.32 and potentially earlier versions up to 1.1.33. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web server's URL handling functionality, creating a scenario where malicious actors can exploit the software's memory management weaknesses to gain unauthorized system control. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the server processes excessively long URLs that exceed the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for remote code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and critical program variables.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the privileges of the web server process. This remote code execution capability enables threat actors to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads within the compromised network environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a specially crafted URL to be sent to the vulnerable web server, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through simple web requests without requiring any authentication or specialized tools. The attack surface is broad since any HTTP request containing an overly long URL can potentially trigger the buffer overflow condition, affecting all web applications hosted on the vulnerable server instance.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain initial access or escalate privileges. The flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices that violate fundamental principles of memory safety and input validation, similar to other buffer overflow vulnerabilities documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Organizations running RaidenHTTPD versions prior to 1.1.34 should consider immediate remediation through patching, as the vulnerability has been widely documented and exploited in the wild. The fix involves implementing proper bounds checking on URL length parameters and ensuring that all input data is validated before processing, which directly addresses the root cause of the memory corruption. Additionally, network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense while patches are deployed, though these measures do not address the underlying software vulnerability itself. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in web server implementations to prevent exploitation of memory corruption flaws.