CVE-2008-1700 in WorkSite Web
Summary
by MITRE
The Web TransferCtrl Class 8,2,1,4 (iManFile.cab), as used in WorkSite Web 8.2 before SP1 P2, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a large number of SendNrlLink directives, which opens a separate window for each directive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1700 affects the Web TransferCtrl Class 8.2.1.4 component within WorkSite Web 8.2 before SP1 P2, representing a significant denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely. This flaw resides in the iManFile.cab module and specifically targets the handling of SendNrlLink directives, which are used for network resource linking within the web application environment. The vulnerability operates through a straightforward yet impactful mechanism where each SendNrlLink directive triggers the opening of a separate browser window, creating a cascading effect that consumes system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and resource management within the Web TransferCtrl Class component. When multiple SendNrlLink directives are processed in rapid succession, the system creates an excessive number of browser windows without proper resource limiting or cleanup mechanisms. This behavior directly violates the principle of resource exhaustion prevention and demonstrates poor defensive programming practices. The flaw can be categorized under CWE-400 as "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" and specifically aligns with CWE-1332 which addresses "Weaknesses in Resource Management." The vulnerability represents a classic example of how seemingly benign functionality can be weaponized to exhaust system resources, leading to service disruption.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses a serious threat to system availability and user experience within the affected WorkSite Web environment. Attackers can initiate sustained denial of service attacks by flooding the system with SendNrlLink directives, causing memory consumption to escalate rapidly and potentially leading to system crashes or complete service unavailability. The resource consumption pattern creates a memory leak scenario where browser windows remain open and consume heap memory without proper garbage collection. This type of attack can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where WorkSite Web systems serve critical business functions, as it can disrupt workflow processes and potentially impact productivity. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers "Resource Hijacking" and represents a form of network-based service disruption.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and resource limiting mechanisms within the Web TransferCtrl Class. Organizations should apply the available service pack SP1 P2 which contains the necessary patches to address this weakness. Additionally, administrators should implement rate limiting and connection throttling mechanisms to prevent excessive processing of SendNrlLink directives. Network-level controls such as firewall rules or proxy configurations can be deployed to limit the number of concurrent requests or to block suspicious patterns of directive usage. System administrators should also monitor resource consumption patterns and implement automated alerting mechanisms to detect unusual memory usage spikes that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper resource management in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of component libraries and ActiveX controls that are commonly used in enterprise web environments.