CVE-2014-3230 in libwww-perl
Summary
by MITRE
The libwww-perl LWP::Protocol::https module 6.04 through 6.06 for Perl, when using IO::Socket::SSL as the SSL socket class, allows attackers to disable server certificate validation via the (1) HTTPS_CA_DIR or (2) HTTPS_CA_FILE environment variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3230 affects the libwww-perl LWP::Protocol::https module version 6.04 through 6.06, representing a critical security flaw in Perl-based web client applications. This issue specifically manifests when the module utilizes IO::Socket::SSL as its underlying SSL socket implementation, creating a dangerous condition where legitimate security mechanisms can be bypassed through environmental configuration manipulation. The vulnerability resides in the module's handling of certificate validation processes, fundamentally undermining the integrity of secure communications.
The technical flaw occurs through two distinct pathways that leverage environment variable manipulation to disable server certificate validation. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by setting either the HTTPS_CA_DIR or HTTPS_CA_FILE environment variables to point to non-existent or untrusted certificate authorities, effectively nullifying the SSL certificate validation process. This mechanism operates at the protocol level within the LWP::Protocol::https module, where the environment variables are interpreted to determine certificate authority paths, allowing malicious actors to establish man-in-the-middle positions without proper authentication. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295 which addresses improper certificate validation, and represents a significant weakness in the certificate trust model implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any system utilizing the affected libwww-perl module. Organizations running web clients, automated scripts, or applications that rely on secure HTTPS communications become vulnerable to various attack vectors including man-in-the-middle attacks, data interception, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability affects not only individual applications but entire infrastructure components that depend on Perl-based HTTP client libraries, potentially compromising the security of data transmission across networks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to impersonate legitimate servers, capture sensitive data, or redirect traffic to malicious endpoints without detection, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where secure communications are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including updating to libwww-perl version 6.07 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the certificate validation bypass. Organizations should also implement strict environment variable controls and monitoring to prevent unauthorized modification of HTTPS_CA_DIR and HTTPS_CA_FILE settings. Security administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all systems using the affected module to identify potential exposure points and implement proper certificate validation policies. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that detect anomalous certificate validation behavior can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security libraries and proper environment variable management practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 which addresses credential access through manipulation of authentication mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate pinning strategies and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in their infrastructure.