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AOLServer contains buffer overflow in ParseAuth()

Vulnerability Note VU#500379

Original Release Date: 2001-09-26 | Last Revised: 2001-09-26

Overview

AOLServer versions 3.3.0 and earlier contain an exploitable buffer overflow. This can lead to arbitrary execution of code on the system.

Description

AOLServer is a free open source web server. It was originally written by America Online (AOL), and is currently developed and maintained by AOL and public participation. AOLServer versions 3.3.0 and earlier contain an exploitable buffer overflow in the ParseAuth() function. An intruder may be able to execute arbitrary code on the server. An exploit is publicly available.

Impact

An intruder can execute arbitrary code on the system with the privileges of the web server, as well as cause a denial-of-service.

Solution

Upgrade to version 3.3.1 or later. This vulnerability has been patched in version 3.3.1

Vendor Information

500379
 
Expand all

America Online Affected

Updated:  September 26, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

From the change log:

"* nsd/serv.c: [ #232139 ] Buffer overflow in ParseAuth(). ParseAuth() uses a 256-byte buffer for decoding authentication data. Unfortunately, Ns_HtuuDecode() does not do an adequate job in reventing data overflow due to the way it tries to loop unroll 4-bytes per iteration. To reproduce: Using IE 5.xxx, navigate to a page that challenges (ie 401 return). Fill the user/pwd fields with as much data as possible. Hit return, and watch AOLserver die due to stack corruption (on Linux, at least). It is preferable to allocate the storage dynamically. Thanks to Adam Zell for the bug report and patch!!"

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us email.


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References

Acknowledgements

AOLServer.com has credited Adam Zell with the discovery of this vulnerability.

This document was written by Jason Rafail.

Other Information

CVE IDs: CVE-2001-1067
Severity Metric: 6.41
Date Public: 2001-02-12
Date First Published: 2001-09-26
Date Last Updated: 2001-09-26 15:10 UTC
Document Revision: 9

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