CVE-2007-3340 in HTTP SERVER
Summary
by MITRE
BugHunter HTTP SERVER (httpsv.exe) 1.6.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a large number of requests for nonexistent pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3340 affects BugHunter HTTP SERVER version 1.6.2, specifically targeting the httpsv.exe component that serves web content. This issue represents a classic denial of service vulnerability where malicious actors can exploit the server's handling of requests for non-existent pages to trigger application instability. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and resource management within the server's request processing pipeline, particularly when confronted with an overwhelming volume of malformed or excessive requests.
The technical flaw manifests when the server receives a large number of requests targeting nonexistent pages, causing the httpsv.exe process to consume excessive system resources or encounter memory management issues that ultimately lead to application crash. This behavior aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes unchecked resource consumption as a significant security weakness affecting software systems. The server's architecture fails to implement proper rate limiting or request queuing mechanisms, allowing attackers to overwhelm the system through what appears to be benign but voluminous traffic patterns that strain the application's ability to process legitimate requests while managing the flood of invalid page requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be exploited to create sustained denial of service conditions that may require manual intervention to restore normal operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to target web applications hosted on vulnerable servers, potentially causing cascading effects on dependent services or leading to increased system load that impacts other legitimate users. The vulnerability particularly affects web applications where the server is configured to handle high volumes of user traffic, as the resource exhaustion occurs during normal operational hours when the server is expected to maintain availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive rate limiting and request filtering mechanisms at multiple levels of the network stack. Network administrators should deploy intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block excessive request patterns, while also configuring the server to implement proper request throttling and connection limiting. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring capabilities enables early detection of potential exploitation attempts, allowing for rapid response to mitigate the impact. Additionally, upgrading to patched versions of the BugHunter HTTP SERVER software represents the most effective long-term solution, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases through improved resource management and enhanced input validation routines. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can filter malicious request patterns and provide additional layers of protection against similar exploitation techniques that align with tactics described in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the denial of service category.