CVE-2013-7398 in Async Http Client
Summary
by MITRE
main/java/com/ning/http/client/AsyncHttpClientConfig.java in Async Http Client (aka AHC or async-http-client) before 1.9.0 does not require a hostname match during verification of X.509 certificates, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof HTTPS servers via an arbitrary valid certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7398 affects the Async Http Client library, specifically within the AsyncHttpClientConfig.java file, which is a critical component of the AHC (async-http-client) framework used extensively in Java applications for asynchronous HTTP operations. This flaw represents a significant security weakness in the SSL/TLS certificate validation process that undermines the fundamental security guarantees of HTTPS communications. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 1.9.0 of the library, making it a widespread issue affecting numerous applications that depend on this asynchronous HTTP client implementation.
The technical flaw stems from the library's failure to enforce hostname verification during X.509 certificate validation processes. In proper SSL/TLS implementations, when a client connects to a server, it should verify that the certificate presented by the server matches the hostname being accessed. This validation ensures that the client is communicating with the intended server and not an attacker who has obtained a valid certificate through fraudulent means. The Async Http Client library, however, bypasses this crucial step, allowing certificates to be accepted even when they do not match the target hostname. This behavior creates a dangerous condition where an attacker can intercept communications by presenting a valid certificate for a different hostname, effectively enabling man-in-the-middle attacks without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, particularly in environments where applications rely on secure HTTPS communications to protect sensitive data. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept and modify data transmitted between clients and servers, potentially accessing confidential information such as user credentials, personal data, financial transactions, and proprietary business information. The vulnerability affects any application using the affected version of the Async Http Client library, including web applications, mobile applications, and backend services that depend on asynchronous HTTP operations. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it operates silently in the background, with no indication to users or administrators that their communications have been compromised.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a clear violation of the security principle of certificate chain validation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to T1573.001, "Tunneling via Command and Control Protocol," where attackers can establish covert communication channels by exploiting weak certificate validation. The vulnerability also relates to T1046, "Network Service Scanning," as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish connections to compromised servers while maintaining the appearance of legitimate communications. Organizations should prioritize updating to version 1.9.0 or later of the Async Http Client library to remediate this vulnerability, as the fix implements proper hostname verification during SSL/TLS certificate validation. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of their applications to identify all instances where this library is used and ensure proper certificate validation is enforced throughout their infrastructure.