CVE-2005-1180 in PHP-Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
HTTP Response Splitting vulnerability in the Surveys module in PHP-Nuke 7.6 allows remote attackers to spoof web content and poison web caches via hex-encoded CRLF ("%0d%0a") sequences in the forwarder parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2017
The HTTP Response Splitting vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1180 resides within the Surveys module of PHP-Nuke version 7.6, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate web server responses. This vulnerability specifically targets the forwarder parameter handling within the module, where insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to inject malicious CRLF (Carriage Return Line Feed) sequences. The exploitation occurs through hex-encoded sequences of "%0d%0a" which translate to the standard CRLF characters that web servers use to separate HTTP headers from response bodies. When these sequences are processed without proper sanitization, they create conditions where attackers can inject additional HTTP headers or manipulate response content, effectively compromising the integrity of web communications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the established patterns described in CWE-113, which categorizes HTTP Response Splitting as a weakness involving improper validation of HTTP headers. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform various malicious activities including web cache poisoning, where they inject malicious content into web caches that can then serve compromised content to multiple users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the HTTP protocol implementation within PHP-Nuke's Surveys module. When the forwarder parameter is processed, the system fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into HTTP response headers, creating a pathway for header injection attacks that can lead to cross-site scripting, session hijacking, or content spoofing.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1180 extends beyond simple content manipulation, as it provides attackers with the capability to poison web caches and potentially redirect users to malicious websites. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where web caching is employed, as the injected content can persist and affect multiple users over time. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to attackers who may not possess advanced penetration testing skills. The vulnerability also aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 tactic for exploiting vulnerabilities, specifically targeting web application security flaws. Organizations using PHP-Nuke 7.6 with the Surveys module are at risk of having their web applications compromised through this attack vector, potentially leading to unauthorized content delivery and user data exposure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the PHP-Nuke application to version 7.7 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the Surveys module. Input validation and sanitization measures must be implemented at the application level to ensure that all user-supplied data, particularly parameters used in HTTP header construction, undergo proper filtering before processing. The implementation of proper encoding mechanisms for special characters, including CRLF sequences, should be enforced throughout the application's input handling routines. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious CRLF injection attempts, along with regular security audits of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, where proper sanitization of user inputs remains a fundamental defense against injection-based attacks. Network administrators should also monitor for unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and implement proper logging mechanisms to track potential attacks targeting this specific vulnerability.