IBM WebSphere HTTP Host: header buffer overflow
| websphere-host-header-bo (10140) |  Low Risk |
Description:
IBM WebSphere is vulnerable to a denial of service attack, caused by a buffer overflow that can occur when handling large HTTP headers. By sending an HTTP request for a .jsp file with an overly large HTTP Host: header, a remote attacker could overflow a buffer and cause the Web service to crash. The Web service may need to be restarted to regain normal functionality.
Note: This vulnerability may also be exploited using other large HTTP header fields, but it is unknown whether it can be exploited to execute code on the server.
Platforms Affected:
- IBM, WebSphere Application Server 4.0.1
- IBM, WebSphere Application Server 4.0.2
- IBM, WebSphere Application Server 4.0.3
Remedy:
Upgrade to the latest version of IBM WebSphere (4.0.4 or later), as listed in IBM eFix (APAR): PQ62144. See References.
Apply the PQ62144 patch, available from the IBM Web site. See References.
Consequences:
Denial of Service
References:
- IBM eFix (APAR): PQ62144, Large header can cause webserver to crash at ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/software/websphere/appserv/support/fixes/pq62144/readme.txt.
- IBM Web site, PQ62144, 4.0.3: Possible security exposure with web servers plugin at http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=180&context=SSEQTP&q=PQ62144&uid=swg24001610.
- VulnWatch Mailing List, Thu Sep 19 2002 - 03:51:20 CDT , KPMG-2002035: IBM Websphere Large Header DoS at http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/vulnwatch/2002-q3/0123.html.
- BID-5749: IBM WebSphere Large HTTP Header Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
- BID-575: Solaris sdtcm_convert File Creation Vulnerability
- CVE-2002-1153: IBM Websphere 4.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an HTTP request with long HTTP headers, such as Host.
- OSVDB ID: 2092: IBM WebSphere HTTP Post Overflow
Reported:
Sep 19, 2002
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