CVE-2012-3499 in HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Apache HTTP Server 2.2.x before 2.2.24-dev and 2.4.x before 2.4.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving hostnames and URIs in the (1) mod_imagemap, (2) mod_info, (3) mod_ldap, (4) mod_proxy_ftp, and (5) mod_status modules.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2021
The CVE-2012-3499 vulnerability represents a significant cross-site scripting weakness affecting the Apache HTTP Server version 2.2.x prior to 2.2.24-dev and 2.4.x prior to 2.4.4. This vulnerability resides within several core modules including mod_imagemap, mod_info, mod_ldap, mod_proxy_ftp, and mod_status, making it particularly dangerous as it affects multiple server components that handle various types of user input. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through carefully crafted hostnames and URIs, creating a wide attack surface that can be exploited from anywhere on the internet.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the affected Apache modules. When these modules process hostnames and URI parameters, they fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. This allows attackers to craft malicious requests that, when processed by the server, execute unintended JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it leverages legitimate server functionality to deliver malicious payloads, making detection more difficult and exploitation more effective.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3499 is substantial as it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web applications, and execution of arbitrary commands on affected systems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to steal user sessions, redirect traffic to malicious sites, or inject malware into user browsers. The attack vectors involve manipulating hostnames and URIs through the affected modules, which are commonly used in web server configurations for image mapping, server information display, LDAP directory browsing, FTP proxy functionality, and status monitoring. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where these modules are enabled and accessible to unauthenticated users.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Apache HTTP Server versions 2.2.24-dev or later for the 2.2.x series, and 2.4.4 or later for the 2.4.x series to remediate this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include disabling unnecessary modules such as mod_info and mod_status in production environments, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of their Apache configurations to ensure that vulnerable modules are not exposed to untrusted users and implement comprehensive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1566 (Phishing) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) when exploited for lateral movement or data exfiltration.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate exploitation as it demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web server software. The affected modules represent common server functionality that administrators often leave enabled for operational purposes, creating a persistent security risk when vulnerabilities exist in these components. This particular weakness highlights the need for continuous security assessment of web server configurations and the importance of maintaining current software versions to protect against known vulnerabilities. Organizations that have not yet patched this vulnerability remain at significant risk of compromise through this well-known attack vector that has been documented and understood for years.