CVE-2007-2197 in NeatUpload
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the NeatUpload ASP.NET component 1.2.11 through 1.2.16, 1.1.18 through 1.1.23, and trunk.379 through trunk.445 allows remote attackers to obtain other clients HTTP responses via multiple simultaneous requests, which triggers multiple calls to HttpWorkerRequest.FlushResponse for the same HttpWorkerRequest object and causes a buffer to be reused for a different request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2197 represents a critical race condition within the NeatUpload ASP.NET component affecting multiple versions from 1.2.11 through 1.2.16, 1.1.18 through 1.1.23, and trunk versions from .379 through .445. This flaw stems from improper handling of concurrent HTTP requests within the component's response processing mechanism, creating a scenario where multiple simultaneous requests can interfere with each other's execution paths. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the HttpWorkerRequest.FlushResponse method is invoked multiple times for the same HttpWorkerRequest object, leading to a fundamental violation of request isolation principles that are essential for secure web application operation.
The technical implementation of this race condition occurs at the HTTP response flushing level where the component fails to properly synchronize access to shared resources during concurrent request processing. When multiple clients submit requests simultaneously, the underlying HttpWorkerRequest object becomes subject to multiple flush operations that can cause memory buffers to be prematurely reused for different requests. This buffer reuse creates a scenario where response data from one client can be inadvertently mixed with or overwritten by data from another client, resulting in cross-contamination of HTTP responses. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the ASP.NET worker process level, affecting the fundamental communication channel between server and client.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, creating significant security implications for web applications utilizing the affected NeatUpload component. Attackers can exploit this race condition to potentially access sensitive information belonging to other users, as HTTP responses intended for different clients become mixed or corrupted. This cross-request data leakage can expose session information, authentication tokens, user data, or other confidential content that should remain isolated between individual client sessions. The vulnerability essentially undermines the core security principle of request isolation that ASP.NET and web application frameworks rely upon for maintaining user privacy and application security boundaries.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which describes a race condition flaw in software design where multiple threads or processes can access shared resources concurrently without proper synchronization. The attack pattern follows the ATT&CK framework's technique T1566 for initial access through web application attacks, potentially enabling information disclosure and privilege escalation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only concurrent request generation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through simple load testing or malicious request patterns. Organizations using affected versions of NeatUpload should immediately implement mitigations including version upgrades, request queuing mechanisms, or application-level protections to prevent concurrent access to vulnerable components during response processing.
Mitigation strategies should focus on eliminating the race condition through proper synchronization mechanisms or component upgrades that address the underlying design flaw. The most effective approach involves upgrading to patched versions of the NeatUpload component where the race condition has been resolved through proper thread synchronization and resource management. Additionally, implementing request throttling or queuing mechanisms can prevent the simultaneous execution patterns that trigger the vulnerability. Network-level protections such as rate limiting and monitoring for unusual concurrent request patterns can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Organizations should also consider implementing proper input validation and response isolation techniques to minimize the impact should the vulnerability be exploited despite preventive measures.