CVE-2005-3348 in phpSysInfo
Summary
by MITRE
HTTP response splitting vulnerability in index.php in phpSysInfo 2.4 and earlier, as used in phpgroupware 0.9.16 and earlier, and egroupware before 1.0.0.009, allows remote attackers to spoof web content and poison web caches via CRLF sequences in the charset parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3348 represents a critical HTTP response splitting flaw that affects multiple web applications leveraging phpSysInfo version 2.4 or earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script within the phpSysInfo framework and has been observed in various implementations including phpgroupware 0.9.16 and earlier versions, as well as egroupware before 1.0.0.009. The core issue arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into HTTP response headers. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-113 category, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of CRLF characters within meta-characters, making it a prime example of how insufficient data sanitization can lead to severe security implications. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious CRLF (Carriage Return Line Feed) sequences into HTTP responses, thereby manipulating the response structure and potentially redirecting or corrupting the content delivery process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the charset parameter within the HTTP request. When an attacker supplies a maliciously crafted charset value containing CRLF sequences, the vulnerable application fails to properly escape or validate these characters before embedding them into HTTP headers. This results in the injection of additional HTTP headers or modification of existing ones, allowing attackers to craft deceptive responses that appear legitimate to web browsers and caching mechanisms. The attack vector specifically targets the HTTP response generation process where the application constructs headers without proper sanitization of user input, creating an environment where malicious data can be injected into the response stream. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specialized access privileges, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple content spoofing to encompass significant security implications including web cache poisoning, session hijacking, and cross-site scripting attacks. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can inject malicious headers that cause web caches to store corrupted responses, potentially serving malicious content to other users who access the same cached resources. This cache poisoning capability represents a serious threat to web application integrity and user security, as it can affect multiple users simultaneously and persist for extended periods depending on cache expiration policies. The vulnerability also enables attackers to manipulate the Content-Type header or inject additional headers that could be used to bypass security controls or redirect users to malicious sites. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving HTTP response manipulation and cache poisoning, with potential for lateral movement through compromised cached content.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3348 should prioritize immediate patching of affected applications to the latest supported versions that contain proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at all points where user data enters the application, specifically ensuring that CRLF sequences are properly escaped or removed from HTTP header parameters. The implementation of strict header validation and sanitization routines becomes critical in preventing the injection of malicious sequences into HTTP responses. Security measures should include regular vulnerability assessments and input validation testing to identify similar weaknesses in other application components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious CRLF injection attempts, while also establishing proper monitoring and alerting mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security standards that emphasize proper input validation and output encoding to prevent injection-based attacks.