CVE-2010-2102 in Webby Webserver
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Webby Webserver 1.01 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long HTTP GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2017
The CVE-2010-2102 vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Webby Webserver version 1.01 that exposes systems to remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the web server processes excessively long HTTP GET requests, creating a condition where input data exceeds the allocated buffer space. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the web server's request handling logic, allowing malicious actors to craft specially designed requests that overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits data to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This weakness directly enables attackers to manipulate the program execution flow and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. When exploited, the buffer overflow allows attackers to overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses, function pointers, and other control data structures. This manipulation can result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the web server process, often running with elevated system permissions. The attack vector requires only a single malformed HTTP GET request, making exploitation relatively straightforward and accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. The vulnerability's remote nature eliminates the need for physical access or local network presence, enabling attackers to compromise systems from anywhere on the internet. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of remote services through network-based attacks, and T1059, which covers the use of command and scripting interpreters for execution.
Systems running Webby Webserver 1.01 are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of proper input sanitization and memory protection mechanisms. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of HTTP GET requests where the server fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious payloads that overwrite the instruction pointer or other critical control structures, thereby redirecting program execution to malicious code. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a GET request with a payload exceeding the buffer capacity, causing the overflow to overwrite the return address on the stack. This enables attackers to redirect execution flow to their malicious code, which can then establish reverse shells, download additional malware, or perform other malicious activities. Organizations using this vulnerable web server version face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential use as a launchpad for further attacks within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in web server implementations, as highlighted in security standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the web server software, implementing network-based restrictions such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, and conducting thorough security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the web server configuration and associated services.