CVE-2007-3709 in CodeIgniter
Summary
by MITRE
CRLF injection vulnerability in the redirect function in url_helper.php in CodeIgniter 1.5.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTTP headers via CRLF sequences in an unspecified parameter, as demonstrated by a Set-Cookie header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2018
The CVE-2007-3709 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting and header injection flaw within the CodeIgniter web application framework version 1.5.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the redirect function implemented in the url_helper.php file, which serves as a fundamental component for handling URL redirections within the framework. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are subsequently used to construct HTTP headers during the redirect process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input containing carriage return line feed sequences that manipulate the HTTP response headers, thereby enabling various malicious activities including session hijacking, cross-site scripting attacks, and cache poisoning.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP headers via CRLF injection techniques, where attackers insert literal \r\n sequences into the redirect parameter to inject arbitrary headers into the HTTP response. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to inject headers such as Set-Cookie, which can be used to establish malicious session cookies or manipulate browser behavior. This form of injection follows the common pattern of HTTP header injection vulnerabilities that have been extensively documented in security literature and classified under CWE-113 as "Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences in HTTP Headers." The attack vector specifically targets the redirect functionality which is commonly used throughout web applications for navigation and authentication flows, making it a high-value target for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple header manipulation, as it can enable sophisticated attack scenarios that compromise user sessions and application integrity. When attackers successfully inject Set-Cookie headers, they can establish malicious cookies that persist across user sessions, potentially allowing unauthorized access to user accounts. The vulnerability also opens the door to more advanced attacks such as HTTP response splitting, where attackers can inject multiple HTTP responses into a single connection, leading to cache poisoning and other complex attack vectors. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in the context of the ATT&CK framework's T1566.001 technique for "Phishing with Spoofed Credentials" as it can be used to manipulate authentication flows and redirect users to malicious sites while maintaining the appearance of legitimate application behavior.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3709 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. The primary fix involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization of all parameters passed to the redirect function, ensuring that CRLF sequences are properly escaped or removed before header construction. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers, input validation libraries, and regular security code reviews to prevent similar injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper HTTP header handling as outlined in OWASP Top Ten categories and should be addressed through comprehensive security training for developers. Additionally, implementing automated security testing tools that can detect header injection patterns during the development lifecycle is essential for preventing such vulnerabilities from reaching production environments. Organizations using CodeIgniter 1.5.3 should immediately upgrade to patched versions or implement proper input sanitization measures to protect against this specific CRLF injection attack vector.