CVE-2015-1002 in embeddedWebServer
Summary
by MITRE
IniNet embeddedWebServer (aka eWebServer) before 2.02 mishandles URL encoding, which allows remote attackers to write to or delete files via a crafted string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1002 affects IniNet embeddedWebServer also known as eWebServer version 2.01 and earlier. This embedded web server implementation suffers from improper handling of URL encoding mechanisms which creates a critical security flaw in the application's request processing pipeline. The vulnerability resides in how the server interprets and processes encoded characters within Uniform Resource Locators, creating opportunities for malicious input manipulation that can result in unauthorized file system operations.
The technical flaw manifests through inadequate input validation and sanitization of URL encoded parameters within the embedded web server's request handling logic. When attackers submit maliciously crafted URL strings containing encoded characters, the server fails to properly decode and validate these inputs before processing file system operations. This misconfiguration allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary file operations including both write and delete actions against the underlying file system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the HTTP request level where attackers can manipulate the server's interpretation of file paths and operations through carefully constructed encoded payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, creating potential for complete system compromise and data destruction. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to upload malicious files, overwrite critical system files, delete essential components, or modify configuration files that could lead to service disruption or complete system takeover. The embedded nature of this web server means that the attack surface is limited to the specific device or application where it is deployed, but the consequences can be severe for industrial control systems, network appliances, or embedded devices that rely on this software stack. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77 and CWE-94 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing improper input validation and code execution flaws in embedded systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1002 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 2.02 or later where the URL encoding handling has been properly addressed. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks. Additional defensive measures include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malformed URL requests, implementing strict input validation at network boundaries, and conducting thorough security assessments of all embedded systems that utilize this web server component. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and script injection and T1486 for data destruction, making it particularly concerning for environments where operational technology systems are connected to enterprise networks. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing of embedded systems should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the industrial control infrastructure.