CVE-2008-6519 in Xitami
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in Xitami Web Server 2.2a through 2.5c2, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a Long Running Web Process (LRWP) request, which triggers incorrect logging code involving the sendfmt function in the SMT kernel.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The CVE-2008-6519 vulnerability represents a critical format string flaw within the Xitami Web Server software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions ranging from 2.2a through 2.5c2 with potential impacts extending to other versions in the lineage. This vulnerability resides within the Long Running Web Process (LRWP) functionality of the server, which is designed to maintain persistent connections and handle extended web requests. The flaw manifests when the server processes malformed requests containing format string specifiers, triggering a cascade of errors within the underlying SMT kernel's sendfmt function that is responsible for logging operations. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where untrusted data is used as format string arguments, creating opportunities for both denial of service and arbitrary code execution. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to web server availability and system integrity, as remote attackers can exploit the flaw to crash the web daemon process, effectively causing a denial of service condition that disrupts legitimate user access to web resources. The attack vector involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests that contain format string specifiers, which when processed by the vulnerable sendfmt function, can lead to memory corruption and unpredictable behavior. The potential for arbitrary code execution stems from the ability of attackers to manipulate the format string parameters to overwrite memory locations, including return addresses or function pointers, thereby allowing for privilege escalation and system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploits for execution through the manipulation of input parameters and the exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The SMT kernel's logging mechanism becomes the attack surface where the format string vulnerability is triggered, as the sendfmt function does not properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before using it in printf-style formatting operations. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable complete system compromise, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for web servers handling sensitive information or critical business applications. Organizations running affected Xitami versions face a substantial risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, as the vulnerability allows for both service disruption and potential persistence mechanisms through code execution capabilities. The remediation strategy requires immediate patching of the affected software versions, along with comprehensive network monitoring to detect exploitation attempts, and implementation of input validation measures to prevent format string attacks on similar systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and the dangers of using user-controllable data in formatting operations without adequate validation and sanitization steps. Security professionals should prioritize this vulnerability in their assessment protocols, as the combination of denial of service potential and arbitrary code execution capabilities makes it a high-risk target for malicious actors seeking to compromise web infrastructure.