CVE-2005-0730 in Active Webcam
Summary
by MITRE
PY Software Active Webcam WebServer (webcam.exe) 5.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a request to a file on the floppy drive, as demonstrated using A:\a.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0730 affects PY Software Active Webcam WebServer version 5.5, representing a significant denial of service weakness in web server software designed for webcam applications. This issue manifests when the web server processes requests for files located on the floppy drive, specifically demonstrated through the use of A:.txt, which triggers an unexpected system behavior leading to service interruption.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the webcam.exe web server component, which fails to properly handle file path requests directed toward removable media devices such as floppy drives. When a remote attacker submits a request containing a path reference to the floppy drive, the web server attempts to process this input without proper sanitization or device access controls, resulting in system instability and potential crash conditions. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates poor error handling mechanisms that do not account for malformed or unexpected file path specifications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a serious risk for systems running the affected webcam web server software, as remote attackers can easily trigger system downtime without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques. The simplicity of the attack vector makes it particularly dangerous in environments where webcam services are exposed to external networks, potentially affecting businesses, educational institutions, or residential users who rely on these services for surveillance or communication purposes. The denial of service condition can persist until manual intervention occurs to restart the affected web server process.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation in software systems, and represents a classic example of how insufficient sanitization of user-provided data can lead to system instability. From an attacker's perspective, this weakness maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network disruption through denial of service attacks against web services. The attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed through simple HTTP requests, making it a preferred method for attackers seeking to disrupt services without detection.
Effective mitigation strategies include implementing proper input validation mechanisms that reject requests containing invalid or unexpected file path specifications, particularly those referencing removable media devices. System administrators should ensure that the webcam web server is not exposed to untrusted networks and that access controls are properly configured to limit file system access. Additionally, updating to patched versions of the software, disabling unnecessary services, and implementing network segmentation can significantly reduce the attack surface. Regular security assessments and monitoring of web server access logs should also be conducted to detect and respond to similar exploitation attempts.