CVE-2014-1829 in Requests
Summary
by MITRE
Requests (aka python-requests) before 2.3.0 allows remote servers to obtain a netrc password by reading the Authorization header in a redirected request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1829 affects the python-requests library version 2.3.0 and earlier, representing a significant security flaw in how HTTP redirect handling operates within Python applications. This issue stems from the library's behavior when processing HTTP redirects, specifically how it manages authentication headers during the redirect process. The vulnerability arises when a client application makes a request to a server that responds with a redirect status code, typically 301, 302, or 307, and the redirect points to another server or location that requires authentication. During this redirect process, the requests library incorrectly forwards the Authorization header from the original request to the redirected server, potentially exposing sensitive authentication credentials.
The technical flaw manifests in the library's handling of HTTP redirects where it fails to properly sanitize or remove authentication headers when following redirects to different hosts. When a server responds with a redirect, the requests library automatically follows the redirect and includes the original Authorization header in the new request. This behavior creates a scenario where a malicious server can intercept the Authorization header and extract authentication credentials, particularly those stored in netrc files, which are commonly used for storing login credentials for network services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates transparently within the library's normal operation, making it difficult for developers to detect and prevent without specific awareness of the issue.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to protected resources and services. When applications using vulnerable versions of python-requests make requests to servers that redirect to other hosts, the attacker-controlled redirect destination can capture and exfiltrate the Authorization header containing authentication information. This exposure can lead to privilege escalation, unauthorized data access, and potential compromise of user accounts or system resources. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in environments where applications automatically follow redirects and where netrc files contain credentials for multiple services, as a single compromised redirect can expose credentials for multiple systems.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-200, which covers "Information Exposure," and specifically addresses information disclosure through improper handling of authentication information. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving credential access through information disclosure and can be leveraged in initial access phases where attackers seek to obtain valid credentials for further exploitation. The flaw represents a failure in proper input validation and header sanitization during HTTP request processing, which is critical for maintaining secure communication channels in networked applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-1829 primarily involve upgrading to python-requests version 2.3.0 or later, where the library properly handles redirect scenarios without forwarding authentication headers to redirected servers. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual redirect patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, developers should configure their applications to explicitly disable automatic redirects when dealing with sensitive operations, or implement custom redirect handling that properly sanitizes authentication information. Security teams should conduct inventory assessments to identify all applications using vulnerable versions of the library and ensure proper patching and configuration updates are implemented across the enterprise.