CVE-2012-2966 in Resin
Summary
by MITRE
Caucho Quercus, as distributed in Resin before 4.0.29, overwrites entries in the SERVER superglobal array on the basis of POST parameters, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2966 affects Caucho Quercus, a php interpreter implementation that was distributed with the Resin application server. This flaw exists in versions prior to 4.0.29 and represents a critical security weakness that allows remote attackers to manipulate server-side variables through carefully crafted POST requests. The vulnerability specifically targets the SERVER superglobal array, which contains information about the server environment and the current request. When Quercus processes POST parameters, it fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before using them to overwrite entries within the SERVER array, creating a potential vector for arbitrary code execution or server compromise.
This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-provided data before using it in critical operations. The technical flaw stems from the interpreter's lack of proper parameter sanitization during the processing of HTTP POST requests, allowing attackers to inject malicious data that gets directly mapped into server environment variables. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description indicates that the consequences can vary significantly depending on the specific server configuration and the nature of the injected data. However, the remote attack vector means that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the server, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it can lead to complete server compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can manipulate critical server environment variables such as HTTP_USER_AGENT, HTTP_HOST, or other server-related headers to inject malicious payloads or redirect server behavior. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on the server, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a platform for further attacks against other systems. The remote nature of the attack means that organizations with publicly accessible web applications using affected versions of Quercus are immediately at risk, and the attack can be performed from anywhere on the internet without requiring authentication or prior access to the system.
The primary mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Resin version 4.0.29 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization for POST parameters before they are processed into the SERVER superglobal array. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious POST requests that might attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, application-level defenses should include input validation at multiple layers, including the use of parameterized queries, proper escaping of user inputs, and regular security auditing of application code. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and script injection techniques and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, making it a significant threat that requires immediate remediation and ongoing monitoring to prevent successful exploitation attempts.