CVE-2013-7299 in Tntnet
Summary
by MITRE
framework/common/messageheaderparser.cpp in Tntnet before 2.2.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a header that ends in \n instead of \r\n, which prevents a null terminator from being added and causes Tntnet to include headers from other requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7299 affects the Tntnet web application framework version 2.2.0 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from improper handling of HTTP request headers. This issue specifically resides in the framework's common message header parser implementation within the file framework/common/messageheaderparser.cpp. The vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious HTTP header that terminates with a carriage return character followed by a line feed character instead of the standard null terminator sequence. This seemingly minor deviation in header formatting creates a significant security gap that allows unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical flaw manifests from a buffer management error that violates fundamental security principles. When Tntnet processes HTTP headers, it expects a proper null termination to delineate header boundaries. However, the malformed header sequence prevents the null terminator from being properly inserted into the buffer, causing the parser to read beyond intended boundaries. This buffer over-read condition allows the framework to inadvertently include header data from previous requests that may contain sensitive information such as authentication tokens, session identifiers, or other confidential data from concurrent connections. The vulnerability essentially creates a data leakage mechanism where headers from different request contexts become mixed, exposing potentially sensitive information to unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking or credential theft. Attackers can exploit this flaw to capture authentication tokens, cookies, or other session-related data from concurrent users, potentially allowing them to impersonate legitimate users or gain unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where multiple requests are processed concurrently, as it can expose data from various user sessions within the same server instance. This type of information leakage directly violates security principles related to data isolation and confidentiality, creating a significant risk for applications that rely on Tntnet for web service delivery.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-129 and CWE-125, which address improper input validation and buffer over-read conditions respectively. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various attack vectors, as the vulnerability enables attackers to harvest session tokens and authentication data. Additionally, this represents a classic example of a memory safety issue that could be classified under ATT&CK technique T1074, which deals with data staging through compromised systems. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation details in security-critical code can create substantial risks, highlighting the importance of proper buffer management and input validation in web application frameworks.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Tntnet version 2.2.1 or later, which includes proper header parsing logic that prevents the buffer over-read condition. Organizations should also implement input validation measures that sanitize HTTP headers before processing, ensuring that all header terminators follow standard protocols. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual header patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper session management practices, including short session timeouts and secure cookie attributes, can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Regular security audits of web application frameworks and components should include thorough examination of buffer handling and input validation mechanisms to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.