CVE-2012-2330 in Nodejs
Summary
by MITRE
The Update method in src/node_http_parser.cc in Node.js before 0.6.17 and 0.7 before 0.7.8 does not properly check the length of a string, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information (request header contents) and possibly spoof HTTP headers via a zero length string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2330 represents a critical security flaw in the Node.js HTTP parser implementation that affects versions prior to 0.6.17 and 0.7.8. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the Update method located in the src/node_http_parser.cc source file, creating a scenario where remote attackers can exploit malformed HTTP requests to extract sensitive information from request headers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the HTTP parser processes zero-length strings, which should not be valid in legitimate HTTP communications but are not properly rejected by the parser logic.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which describes improper validation of length of input buffers, and more specifically relates to CWE-20, which covers improper input validation. The flaw occurs because the HTTP parser fails to validate the length parameter when processing strings, allowing attackers to craft malicious HTTP requests that contain zero-length strings. When the parser encounters these malformed inputs, it does not properly handle the edge case, leading to potential information disclosure and header manipulation. The vulnerability operates at the protocol parsing layer, where HTTP request headers are processed and interpreted by the Node.js runtime, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during normal HTTP communication.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2330 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable header spoofing attacks that could allow malicious actors to manipulate HTTP request processing. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive header contents such as authentication tokens, cookies, or other confidential information that might be present in the HTTP headers. The ability to spoof HTTP headers through this mechanism creates additional attack vectors where malicious requests could potentially bypass security controls or manipulate server-side processing logic that relies on header values for access control decisions. This vulnerability specifically targets the HTTP request parsing functionality that forms the foundation of web application communication in Node.js environments.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is significant within Node.js applications that process HTTP requests from untrusted sources, particularly web servers, API endpoints, and any service that relies on HTTP header validation for security decisions. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1566, focusing on credential access through social engineering or protocol manipulation. Organizations using affected Node.js versions face risks of data leakage, unauthorized access, and potential privilege escalation through header manipulation. The vulnerability can be exploited through standard HTTP request smuggling techniques or by crafting malicious requests that trigger the parser's failure to validate string lengths properly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2330 primarily involve upgrading to patched versions of Node.js, specifically version 0.6.17 or 0.7.8 and later, which contain the necessary fixes to properly validate string lengths during HTTP parsing operations. Organizations should also implement additional input validation layers at application boundaries, deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malformed HTTP requests, and consider implementing header sanitization routines that can identify and reject suspicious header content. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems can help detect exploitation attempts, while application-level monitoring should track unusual HTTP request patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that all Node.js components are updated to secure versions and that no legacy installations remain vulnerable to this class of attack.