Microsoft IIS 2.0/3.0 URL Long URL denial of service

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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5.1$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Microsoft IIS 2.0/3.0. It has been declared as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component URL Handler. The manipulation as part of Long URL results in denial of service. This vulnerability was named CVE-1999-0281. In addition, an exploit is available. This vulnerability is historically impactful due to its background and the reception it garnered. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Microsoft IIS 2.0/3.0 (Web Server). Affected is some unknown processing of the component URL Handler. The manipulation as part of a Long URL leads to a denial of service vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-404. The product does not release or incorrectly releases a resource before it is made available for re-use. This is going to have an impact on availability.

The issue has been introduced in 08/24/1996. The weakness was presented 06/01/1997. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-1999-0281. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploitation doesn't require any form of authentication. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 04/16/2026). This vulnerability has a historic impact due to its background and reception.

A public exploit has been developed in ANSI C. The exploit is shared for download at securityfocus.com. It is declared as highly functional. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 281 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $5k-$25k. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 86063 (Microsoft IIS 2.0 and 3.0 Long URL Vulnerability).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (256), Exploit-DB (20802), SecurityFocus (BID 2654†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-671†). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.1

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Denial of service
CWE: CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Highly functional
Programming Language: 🔍
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

08/24/1996 🔍
06/01/1997 +281 days 🔍
06/01/1997 +0 days 🔍
06/01/1997 +0 days 🔍
06/21/1997 +20 days 🔍
01/21/2003 +2040 days 🔍
06/18/2014 +4166 days 🔍
04/16/2026 +4320 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: microsoft.com

Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-1999-0281 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-1999-0281
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-13908
X-Force: 256
SecurityFocus: 2654 - Microsoft IIS Long URL Denial of Service Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 671 - Microsoft IIS Long URL Denial of Service Vulnerability, High

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 06/18/2014 11:38
Updated: 04/16/2026 20:17
Changes: 06/18/2014 11:38 (62), 05/08/2019 08:45 (3), 01/18/2025 06:58 (19), 10/26/2025 02:47 (2), 04/16/2026 20:17 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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