CVE-2004-2214 in AppWeb HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Mbedthis AppWeb HTTP server before 1.1.3 allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions via a URI with mixed case characters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-2214 affects Mbedthis AppWeb HTTP server versions prior to 1.1.3 and represents a critical access control flaw that enables remote attackers to circumvent security restrictions through carefully crafted URI requests. This issue stems from the server's improper handling of case-sensitive URI components, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the server processes URIs containing mixed case characters, allowing attackers to exploit inconsistencies in how the server interprets and validates access control rules. This flaw directly impacts the server's ability to enforce proper authentication and authorization mechanisms, potentially exposing sensitive data and functionality to unauthorized users.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the server's URI parsing and access control validation logic which fails to normalize or properly canonicalize URI components before performing access checks. When a URI contains mixed case characters in path segments or query parameters, the server may interpret these differently than intended, leading to bypasses in access restriction enforcement. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and specifically relates to improper handling of case sensitivity in resource identifiers. The flaw demonstrates a classic example of how seemingly minor implementation details in web server software can create significant security weaknesses that undermine the entire security framework.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to organizations relying on Mbedthis AppWeb servers for hosting sensitive applications or data. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access restricted areas of web applications, potentially gaining access to administrative interfaces, user data, or other protected resources. The remote nature of the attack means that no local system compromise is required, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of web applications, as it allows unauthorized access to resources that should only be available to authenticated users with appropriate privileges. The attack vector is straightforward and can be automated, making it attractive to malicious actors seeking to exploit weak access controls in web infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected Mbedthis AppWeb installations to version 1.1.3 or later, where the issue has been resolved through proper URI normalization and access control enforcement. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and logging to detect unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should review and test access control configurations to ensure that the fix has properly addressed the vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of URI handling across the entire application to verify that no other similar case sensitivity issues exist within the server configuration or application code. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and canonicalization of URI components at the application level can serve as a defense-in-depth measure against similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper case handling in web security implementations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through web application attacks.