CVE-2003-0459 in KDE
Summary
by MITRE
KDE Konqueror for KDE 3.1.2 and earlier does not remove authentication credentials from URLs of the "user:password@host" form in the HTTP-Referer header, which could allow remote web sites to steal the credentials for pages that link to the sites.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0459 represents a critical security flaw in KDE Konqueror web browser versions 3.1.2 and earlier, specifically addressing improper handling of authentication credentials within HTTP headers. This issue stems from the browser's failure to sanitize URLs containing embedded user credentials when these URLs are transmitted in the HTTP-Referer header during web navigation. The flaw creates a significant attack vector where malicious web servers can potentially intercept and extract sensitive authentication information from URLs that contain user:password@host format credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the HTTP header processing level within the Konqueror browser's network stack. When users navigate to web pages that contain links to resources requiring authentication, the browser includes the full URL with credentials in the Referer header sent to the destination server. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of credential handling and demonstrates a lack of proper input sanitization. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which deals with information exposure, and specifically relates to CWE-352, cross-site request forgery, though the primary concern here is credential leakage through improper header handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to harvest authentication information from users who browse the web while logged into protected resources. When users visit websites that link to authenticated resources, the attacker's server can capture the Referer header and extract the embedded credentials, potentially gaining unauthorized access to protected services. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently access authenticated web applications, as it can lead to account takeovers and unauthorized system access. The attack scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, credential access through phishing and social engineering, as users unknowingly expose their credentials through normal browsing behavior.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate browser updates to versions that properly sanitize URLs before including them in HTTP headers. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect unusual Referer header patterns that might indicate credential leakage attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of browsing to untrusted websites while maintaining authenticated sessions with sensitive resources. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as HTTP Strict Transport Security policies and web application firewalls to detect and prevent credential leakage. The fix involves modifying the browser's HTTP header generation process to strip authentication credentials from URLs before inclusion in the Referer header, aligning with security best practices outlined in RFC 2616 and subsequent web security standards.