CVE-2014-3137 in Bottle
Summary
by MITRE
Bottle 0.10.x before 0.10.12, 0.11.x before 0.11.7, and 0.12.x before 0.12.6 does not properly limit content types, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via an accepted Content-Type followed by a ; (semi-colon) and a Content-Type that would not be accepted, as demonstrated in YouCompleteMe to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3137 affects the Bottle web framework version 0.10.x before 0.10.12, 0.11.x before 0.11.7, and 0.12.x before 0.12.6, representing a critical flaw in content type validation mechanisms. This issue stems from the framework's improper handling of Content-Type headers during HTTP request processing, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass intended access controls through carefully crafted requests.
The technical flaw manifests when the Bottle framework processes HTTP requests containing Content-Type headers that include semicolon delimiters. Attackers can exploit this by submitting a request with an initially accepted Content-Type followed by a semicolon and a second Content-Type that would normally be rejected. This technique allows the framework to process the request using the first Content-Type while potentially executing code that would otherwise be restricted. The vulnerability specifically targets the framework's content type validation logic, which fails to properly sanitize or validate Content-Type headers that contain multiple content types separated by semicolons.
This vulnerability creates significant operational impact as it enables remote code execution attacks against applications built on the affected Bottle framework versions. The flaw allows attackers to bypass access restrictions that would normally prevent execution of malicious code, potentially leading to full system compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged through standard HTTP request processing, making it difficult to detect and prevent through conventional network security measures. Applications using the vulnerable framework versions become susceptible to arbitrary code execution, data theft, and system manipulation.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection. Organizations using affected Bottle versions should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions, implementing additional content type validation at the application level, and deploying web application firewalls with enhanced Content-Type header inspection capabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and proper sanitization of HTTP headers in web applications, particularly those handling user-provided data through Content-Type parameters.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of all affected Bottle framework installations to versions 0.10.12, 0.11.7, or 0.12.6 respectively, along with implementing additional security controls such as Content-Type header validation, request filtering, and monitoring for suspicious Content-Type patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level controls to detect and block malformed Content-Type headers, while ensuring that all applications properly validate and sanitize user input before processing. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation in web frameworks and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in HTTP request handling mechanisms.