CVE-2013-1305 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
HTTP.sys in Microsoft Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Windows RT allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a crafted HTTP header, aka "HTTP.sys Denial of Service Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The CVE-2013-1305 vulnerability represents a critical denial of service flaw within the HTTP.sys kernel driver of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically affects Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Windows RT implementations, where the HTTP.sys component handles HTTP requests at the kernel level. The flaw stems from improper validation of HTTP headers during request processing, creating a condition where maliciously crafted header values can trigger an infinite loop within the kernel driver. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, bypassing normal user-space protections and potentially allowing attackers to consume excessive system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a specially formatted HTTP header that causes the HTTP.sys driver to enter an infinite loop during processing. The flaw exists in how the driver handles certain header parsing operations, specifically when dealing with malformed or unusually constructed header values. When the vulnerable system receives such a request, the HTTP.sys component becomes trapped in a continuous processing cycle, consuming CPU resources and effectively rendering the system unable to process legitimate HTTP requests. This behavior constitutes a classic denial of service attack that can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web servers and systems exposed to the internet.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1305 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can lead to complete system unavailability and significant business interruption. Systems running affected Windows versions become vulnerable to sustained denial of service attacks that can persist until the system is manually restarted or the vulnerable driver is patched. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying and mitigating this vulnerability across their infrastructure, particularly in environments where multiple web servers or applications rely on HTTP.sys for request handling. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or credentials, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential impact.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates released in March 2013, which included patches to the HTTP.sys driver to properly validate incoming HTTP headers and prevent the infinite loop condition. Organizations should prioritize applying these patches immediately to protect their systems from exploitation. Additionally, network administrators can implement temporary mitigations such as firewall rules to restrict HTTP traffic or deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious header patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions, and maps to attack techniques in the ATT&CK framework under T1499, specifically focusing on network denial of service methods. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of kernel-level security and the potential for seemingly minor parsing flaws to create significant system-wide impacts.