CVE-2004-2582 in iChain
Summary
by MITRE
Novell iChain 2.3 includes the build number in the VIA line of the proxy server s HTTP headers, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2582 affects Novell iChain 2.3 proxy server implementations where the software inadvertently exposes internal build information through the VIA header in HTTP responses. This exposure occurs within the proxy server's HTTP header construction process, specifically in the VIA line that typically contains information about intermediate proxy servers in the communication chain. The build number disclosure represents a significant information disclosure vulnerability that can provide attackers with detailed insights into the target system's configuration and version specifics.
This technical flaw falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities, specifically aligning with CWE-200 which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The vulnerability exists because the Novell iChain proxy server software includes internal build metadata directly in the HTTP response headers without proper sanitization or access control measures. The VIA header field, which is used by HTTP proxies to indicate the presence of intermediate proxy servers in the request path, becomes a vector for sensitive information leakage when it contains build numbers and version identifiers that should remain confidential.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information gathering as it provides attackers with precise version information that can be used for targeted exploitation. An attacker who discovers the build number through this disclosure can correlate it with existing vulnerability databases and exploit repositories to identify known security flaws in that specific version of the iChain software. This information can enable more sophisticated attack vectors including exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities, social engineering campaigns targeting specific system versions, and reconnaissance activities that would otherwise be hindered by the lack of detailed system information. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Novell iChain as a web proxy or application gateway where the proxy server processes HTTP traffic between internal networks and external clients.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is primarily through passive reconnaissance techniques where attackers monitor HTTP responses from the affected proxy server. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082 which covers system information discovery, and T1592 which addresses reconnaissance using multiple systems. Network monitoring tools and web application firewalls can detect this information disclosure pattern, but many organizations lack proper header sanitization policies that would prevent such exposure. The vulnerability represents a configuration weakness in the proxy server's response handling rather than a core software flaw, making it potentially remediable through configuration changes or software updates. Organizations should implement proper header filtering mechanisms to remove or obfuscate sensitive build information from HTTP responses, and regularly update their proxy server software to ensure that known vulnerabilities are patched.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing HTTP header filtering policies that remove or sanitize build information from response headers, applying the latest security patches from Novell that address this specific information disclosure, and conducting regular security audits of proxy server configurations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of proxy servers to untrusted networks, while maintaining detailed inventory records of all proxy server versions to facilitate timely patch management. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper information hiding principles in security design, where internal system metadata should never be exposed to external parties without explicit authorization. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for information disclosure vulnerabilities in proxy server configurations to prevent similar issues from being exploited in operational environments.