CVE-2014-1830 in Requests
Summary
by MITRE
Requests (aka python-requests) before 2.3.0 allows remote servers to obtain sensitive information by reading the Proxy-Authorization header in a redirected request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1830 affects the python-requests library version 2.3.0 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk related to how HTTP redirects are handled in the library's implementation. This flaw enables malicious servers to potentially access sensitive authentication information that should remain protected during network communications. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the library processes HTTP redirects and fails to properly sanitize the Proxy-Authorization header that may be present in redirect responses.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the library's handling of HTTP redirect responses where it automatically follows redirects without adequately filtering or removing sensitive headers from the redirected request. When a client makes an HTTP request and receives a redirect response containing a Proxy-Authorization header, the python-requests library before version 2.3.0 would include this header in the subsequent request to the redirected location. This behavior violates fundamental security principles and creates an information disclosure risk that can be exploited by attackers controlling the redirect server.
This vulnerability operates under the category of information disclosure, specifically related to improper handling of authentication credentials during HTTP operations. The flaw aligns with CWE-201, which describes improper handling of authentication credentials, and represents a classic case of credential leakage during network operations. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure as the Proxy-Authorization header typically contains credentials that could grant unauthorized access to protected resources or services.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1830 is substantial for any application relying on the python-requests library for HTTP communications, particularly in environments where proxy authentication is used or where applications might encounter redirects from untrusted sources. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by setting up malicious servers that respond to requests with redirect responses containing Proxy-Authorization headers, thereby gaining access to sensitive authentication information that would normally be protected. This risk is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where applications might be subjected to various network redirects and where proxy authentication is commonly implemented.
Organizations utilizing the affected python-requests library should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommended action is to upgrade to version 2.3.0 or later where the issue has been resolved through proper handling of Proxy-Authorization headers during redirect operations. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of their applications to identify any potential reliance on vulnerable versions and ensure that all proxy authentication configurations properly validate and sanitize header content. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in redirect handling that might indicate exploitation attempts, and security policies should be updated to reflect the importance of maintaining proper header sanitization during HTTP operations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper HTTP library security implementation and the potential consequences of inadequate handling of authentication headers during network operations.