CVE-2010-2195 in bozohttpd
Summary
by MITRE
bozotic HTTP server (aka bozohttpd) 20090522 through 20100512 allows attackers to cause a denial of service via vectors related to a "wrong code generation interaction with GCC."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2195 affects the bozotic HTTP server implementation known as bozohttpd version 20090522 through 20100512. This issue represents a significant security concern that stems from improper code generation interactions with the GNU Compiler Collection, specifically exposing the server to potential denial of service attacks. The flaw manifests during the compilation process where certain code patterns interact unpredictably with GCC's optimization routines, creating conditions that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the compiler's handling of specific code constructs within the bozohttpd server implementation. When the server code is compiled using GCC, particular combinations of conditional statements, function calls, and memory management patterns trigger undefined behavior in the compiler's code generation phase. This results in the creation of executable code that either crashes during execution or enters an unstable state where normal service operations become impossible. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of how compiler-specific issues can translate into security risks when they affect the fundamental execution environment of network services.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for systems running affected versions of bozohttpd, as attackers can reliably trigger service disruption through carefully crafted requests that exploit the code generation flaw. The denial of service impact means that legitimate users cannot access the web server functionality, potentially affecting business operations and availability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the compilation level rather than the runtime level, making it more difficult to detect and mitigate through traditional runtime security measures. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the CWE-682 category, which covers "Incorrect Calculation" and specifically addresses issues related to compiler behavior and code generation errors.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily through network-based exploitation where attackers send specific HTTP requests that cause the server to process code in ways that trigger the GCC interaction issue. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques, as the vulnerability allows adversaries to disrupt service availability without requiring elevated privileges. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize patching or upgrading to versions that address the compiler interaction issues, as the vulnerability is not easily mitigated through runtime configuration changes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of updated server versions that resolve the code generation conflicts with GCC, implementing network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar compiler interaction issues in other software components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining awareness of the broader implications of compiler-specific vulnerabilities in their software supply chain. The vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive testing across different compiler versions and the need for robust software quality assurance processes that consider compiler behavior as part of the security assessment.