CVE-2008-0410 in HTTP File Server
Summary
by MITRE
HTTP File Server (HFS) before 2.2c allows remote attackers to obtain configuration and usage details by using an id element such as <id>%version%</id> in HTTP Basic Authentication instead of a username and password, as demonstrated by placing this id element in the userinfo subcomponent of a URL.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0410 affects HTTP File Server (HFS) versions prior to 2.2c, representing a significant information disclosure weakness that undermines the security posture of web file serving applications. This flaw exists within the authentication mechanism of HFS, specifically when handling HTTP Basic Authentication requests that contain specially crafted id elements in the userinfo component of URLs. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical design oversight in how the server processes authentication credentials, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive system information through seemingly benign URL construction techniques. The issue stems from the server's improper handling of the id element parameter, which can be embedded within the userinfo subcomponent of a URL to extract configuration and usage details from the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of HTTP Basic Authentication headers through the userinfo portion of Uniform Resource Identifiers. Attackers can construct malicious URLs containing id elements such as <id>%version%</id> which the vulnerable HFS server processes incorrectly, leading to information disclosure. This technique bypasses normal authentication mechanisms by leveraging the server's failure to properly validate or sanitize the id parameter within the authentication context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to extract detailed system information without requiring valid credentials, effectively providing a reconnaissance vector for further attacks. The exploitation process demonstrates a classic case of improper input validation and output encoding, where the server fails to properly parse and sanitize user-provided data before processing it in sensitive contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0410 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked configuration details can provide attackers with comprehensive insights into the target system's architecture and operational parameters. This includes version information, server configuration settings, and potentially other sensitive metadata that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or additional exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects organizations using outdated HFS implementations, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by threat actors without requiring sophisticated techniques or privileged access. The information obtained through this vulnerability can facilitate more targeted attacks, including exploitation of known vulnerabilities in specific HFS versions, and can be used to tailor subsequent attack vectors against the compromised system. This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the improper handling of sensitive information, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices for authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected HFS installations to version 2.2c or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper authentication handling and input validation. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable HFS instances, while also monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the need for robust authentication mechanisms that do not inadvertently expose system information through malformed requests. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all web server implementations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, particularly those that process user-provided data within authentication contexts. This vulnerability also demonstrates the necessity of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which emphasize proper input validation and secure authentication design principles. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovery of system information through network reconnaissance activities, and T1566, which involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities for information gathering purposes.