CVE-2005-2730 in Security Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The HTTP proxy in Astaro Security Linux 6.0 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via an invalid request, which reveals a Proxy-authorization string in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2730 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the HTTP proxy component of Astaro Security Linux 6.0. This issue arises from improper error handling mechanisms that fail to sanitize sensitive authentication data before returning error responses to remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically affects the proxy authorization string, which contains credentials that should remain confidential within the system's security boundaries. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in how the system processes malformed requests and generates error messages, creating an avenue for unauthorized information extraction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the proxy server's failure to properly validate and filter input requests before generating error responses. When an invalid HTTP request is received, the system's error handling routine inadvertently includes the proxy authorization header in the error message response. This occurs because the proxy component does not adequately strip or mask authentication tokens during error processing, allowing attackers to intercept and decode the sensitive information. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack and specifically targets the HTTP protocol implementation within the security appliance's proxy functionality. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which defines weaknesses related to improper information exposure, and represents a classic example of how error handling can inadvertently leak sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with authentication credentials that can be leveraged for further compromise of the affected system. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to proxy authentication tokens, potentially enabling them to bypass access controls and gain elevated privileges within the network security infrastructure. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Astaro Security Linux 6.0 for their network protection, as the leaked credentials could be used to access protected resources or manipulate the proxy configuration. The vulnerability also undermines the trust model of the security appliance, as it demonstrates that even error conditions can compromise system integrity. From an adversary perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-value attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically focusing on credential access through information disclosure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and error handling procedures within the proxy component. System administrators should ensure that all error responses are sanitized to remove any authentication-related information before being transmitted to clients. The recommended approach involves implementing strict filtering mechanisms that prevent sensitive data from appearing in error messages regardless of the request type received. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of credential compromise. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to address this vulnerability, as the manufacturer likely released fixes for this specific issue. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns in error message content that might indicate exploitation attempts, providing an additional layer of defense against this type of information disclosure attack.