CVE-2010-2271 in Rock Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in authcfg.cgi in Accoria Web Server (aka Rock Web Server) 1.4.7 allows remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via format string specifiers in the path (aka Password File) parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2271 represents a critical format string vulnerability within the authcfg.cgi component of Accoria Web Server version 1.4.7, also known as Rock Web Server. This flaw exists in the authentication configuration handling mechanism where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into format string operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the path parameter, referred to as Password File, contains format string specifiers that are processed without adequate input sanitization, creating a potential attack vector for remote adversaries.
Format string vulnerabilities occur when an application uses user-controllable data as format string arguments in functions like printf, sprintf, or similar string formatting routines without proper validation. In this case, the authcfg.cgi script processes the path parameter directly in a format string context, allowing attackers to inject malicious format specifiers that can lead to various security consequences. The vulnerability's impact is classified as unspecified, indicating that the potential consequences could range from information disclosure to arbitrary code execution depending on the specific exploitation scenario and system configuration. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where format string specifiers are derived from external input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate memory contents, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious requests containing format string specifiers in the Password File parameter, which when processed by the vulnerable web server component could result in stack-based buffer overflows or memory corruption. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of proper parameter sanitization in web applications. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to read arbitrary memory locations, write to memory addresses, or even execute arbitrary code on the affected system, making it a significant threat to web server security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2271 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Accoria Web Server version 1.4.7, as this represents the most effective solution to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent format string specifiers from being processed as user input, particularly in authentication-related components. The implementation of proper parameter handling in the authcfg.cgi script should ensure that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or validated before any format string operations occur. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable web server components, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous requests containing suspicious format string patterns. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1211, which covers privilege escalation through exploitation of format string vulnerabilities, and emphasizes the critical need for secure coding practices in web application development.