CVE-2005-4015 in Statistik
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Web Statistik 1.4 does not rotate the log database or limit the size of the referer field, which allows remote attackers to fill the log files via a large number of requests, as demonstrated using pixel.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2018
CVE-2005-4015 represents a significant security vulnerability in PHP Web Statistik version 1.4 that exposes systems to denial of service attacks through improper log file management. This vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper log rotation mechanisms and size limitations for referer fields, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to consume system resources through excessive logging operations. The flaw specifically affects the pixel.php component which serves as the primary logging mechanism for tracking web statistics and referer information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the absence of input validation and resource management controls within the logging subsystem. When attackers send a large number of requests to the vulnerable system, each request triggers a log entry that persists in the database without any automatic rotation or size constraints. This creates a scenario where the log database grows indefinitely, consuming available disk space and potentially causing system instability or complete service disruption. The referer field, which typically contains information about the originating web page, becomes particularly problematic when attackers submit excessively long referer strings that can cause the database to expand rapidly.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability directly impacts system availability and resource management capabilities. The lack of log rotation means that the application continues to append new entries to the same log files without considering storage limitations or performance implications. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform resource exhaustion attacks by flooding the system with requests containing long referer strings, effectively consuming disk space and potentially causing the entire web application to become unavailable. The vulnerability can be exploited through simple HTTP requests that trigger the logging mechanism, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical expertise to execute.
The impact of CVE-2005-4015 aligns with common security principles identified in CWE categories related to resource management and input validation failures. This vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices and buffer overflows, and CWE-130, which covers improper handling of input that could lead to resource exhaustion. The attack pattern follows typical methodologies described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for resource exhaustion attacks, where adversaries consume system resources to deny service to legitimate users.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper log management practices including automatic log rotation, size limitations for input fields, and regular monitoring of disk space usage. System administrators should configure the application to automatically rotate log files when they reach predetermined sizes and implement maximum length restrictions for referer fields to prevent excessively long inputs from being processed. Additionally, implementing rate limiting mechanisms and monitoring for unusual request patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The most robust solution involves updating to a newer version of PHP Web Statistik that includes proper log management features and input validation controls, as this vulnerability represents a fundamental design flaw that cannot be adequately patched through configuration changes alone.