CVE-2007-4060 in corehttp
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the HttpSprockMake function in http.c in Frank Yaul corehttp 0.5.3alpha allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in the (1) method name or (2) URI in an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4060 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Frank Yaul corehttp 0.5.3alpha web server implementation. This vulnerability specifically affects the HttpSprockMake function in the http.c source file, where inadequate input validation permits malicious actors to exploit memory corruption through carefully crafted HTTP requests. The flaw manifests when the server processes method names or URI components that exceed predetermined buffer limits, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions. Such buffer overflows fall under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic security weakness in network service implementations where input sanitization fails to prevent memory corruption attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires remote attackers to craft HTTP requests containing excessively long strings in either the HTTP method field or the URI component of the request. When the corehttp server processes these malformed requests, the HttpSprockMake function fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This allows attackers to overwrite stack memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the web server process. The attack vector operates entirely over the network without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets network services that are exposed to external networks and can be exploited without prior access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4060 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or use the compromised server as a launching point for attacks against other systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core HTTP processing functionality of the web server, potentially rendering the entire service unstable or completely compromised. Organizations running affected versions of Frank Yaul corehttp face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and system infiltration. The memory corruption nature of buffer overflows also creates potential for denial of service conditions where the server crashes or becomes unresponsive due to corrupted execution flow. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority remediation item, particularly for systems hosting sensitive data or serving as entry points to larger network infrastructures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper memory management in network services, highlighting how seemingly simple flaws in core processing functions can lead to complete system compromise.