CVE-2008-0199 in Pro Search
Summary
by MITRE
PRO-Search 0.17 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via certain values of the show_page and time parameters to the default URI.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0199 affects PRO-Search version 0.17 and earlier, representing a denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. This issue manifests through specific parameter manipulation within the application's default URI, specifically targeting the show_page and time parameters. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and sanitization, which forms the foundation of many web application security weaknesses. When attackers submit malformed or specially crafted values to these parameters, the application fails to handle them appropriately, leading to system instability and potential service interruption. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad, compromising the system's ability to provide continuous service to legitimate users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation within the PRO-Search application's processing logic. The show_page and time parameters appear to be directly incorporated into internal processing functions without proper sanitization or bounds checking. This creates an environment where malicious input can cause unexpected behavior within the application's execution flow. The vulnerability likely involves buffer overflow conditions, integer overflows, or other memory corruption issues that occur when the application attempts to process these specific parameter values. Such flaws are commonly classified under CWE-129 Input Validation and Output Encoding, specifically CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read, or CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, depending on the exact implementation details. The remote exploitation capability means attackers do not require local system access or authentication, making this particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0199 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise broader system availability and user experience. When exploited successfully, the denial of service condition can prevent legitimate users from accessing search functionality within the PRO-Search application, effectively rendering the service unusable. This type of vulnerability can be particularly damaging in commercial or enterprise environments where search capabilities are critical for business operations. The vulnerability also represents a potential stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as initial exploitation often serves as a reconnaissance phase for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or escalate privileges. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 Disruption of Services category, specifically targeting availability through service interruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0199 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and parameter sanitization mechanisms within the PRO-Search application. The most effective immediate solution involves patching the application to version 0.18 or later, which should contain the necessary fixes for proper parameter handling. Organizations should also implement proper input validation routines that reject or sanitize any input values that exceed expected parameter ranges or formats. The application should enforce strict type checking and bounds validation for all parameters, particularly those used in navigation and time-based operations. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and logging mechanisms can help detect and respond to exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and rate limiting can provide additional defense in depth. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring for unusual parameter patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK's T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols detection techniques to identify and block malicious traffic patterns.