CVE-2022-28994 in Small HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2022
Small HTTP Server version 3.06 suffers from a remote buffer overflow vulnerability via long GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28994 affects Small HTTP Server version 3.06 and represents a critical remote buffer overflow flaw that can be exploited through malformed GET requests. This vulnerability resides within the server's handling of HTTP request data, specifically when processing excessively long GET requests that exceed the allocated buffer space. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability impacts the server's ability to properly validate input length, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the HTTP request parsing logic of the Small HTTP Server. When a client submits a GET request containing an abnormally long query string or URI, the server fails to properly check the length of incoming data against predefined buffer limits. This allows an attacker to craft malicious requests that exceed the allocated memory space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the server is exposed to untrusted clients.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28994 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable complete system compromise. Successful exploitation could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected server process, potentially leading to full system control or data exfiltration. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to leverage techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for command and script interpreter, as well as T1499.004 for network denial of service. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Small HTTP Server face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, or infrastructure compromise, particularly in environments where the server handles sensitive information or serves as a critical component of network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-28994 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided update that addresses the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network-level protections including firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious GET request patterns that exceed normal length parameters. Input validation measures should be enhanced to enforce strict limits on URI and query string lengths, with proper error handling mechanisms to gracefully reject malformed requests. The implementation of address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include regular auditing of server logs for unusual request patterns and automated alerting for potential exploitation attempts, aligning with industry best practices for vulnerability management and incident response as outlined in NIST SP 800-37 and ISO 27001 standards.