CVE-2007-1260 in WebMod
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the connectHandle function in server.cpp in WebMod 0.48 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in the Content-Length HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1260 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the WebMod 0.48 web server implementation. This vulnerability specifically affects the connectHandle function located in the server.cpp source file, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The flaw manifests when the web server processes HTTP requests containing excessively long strings within the Content-Length header field, which serves as a crucial mechanism for indicating the size of request body data to be transmitted.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and buffer management within the WebMod server software. When the connectHandle function processes incoming HTTP requests, it fails to adequately validate the length of the Content-Length header value before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This oversight creates a classic buffer overflow condition where an attacker can supply a string exceeding the allocated buffer space, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten with malicious data. The stack-based nature of this vulnerability means that the overwritten memory regions include return addresses and other critical execution context information, making it possible for attackers to redirect program execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far 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 attackers to potentially gain full control over the affected server, install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can send HTTP requests to the targeted web server.
The attack vector for this vulnerability follows established patterns documented in cybersecurity frameworks, aligning with attack techniques categorized under code execution and privilege escalation methods. From a CWE perspective, this represents a classic implementation flaw classified as CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is among the most common and dangerous types of buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK tactics including TA0002 Execution and TA0004 Privilege Escalation, as successful exploitation leads to unauthorized command execution and potential privilege elevation within the compromised system environment. Organizations running WebMod 0.48 servers are particularly at risk since this vulnerability affects the core web server functionality and provides attackers with direct control over the hosting environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the WebMod software to version 0.49 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement network-level restrictions such as firewall rules that limit access to the affected web server ports and consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious Content-Length header patterns. Additionally, deploying application-level security controls including input validation filters and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other web server implementations and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors that may exist in the broader software ecosystem.