CVE-2014-3580 in Subversion
Summary
by MITRE
The mod_dav_svn Apache HTTPD server module in Apache Subversion 1.x before 1.7.19 and 1.8.x before 1.8.11 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and server crash) via a REPORT request for a resource that does not exist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3580 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the mod_dav_svn module of Apache Subversion installations. This issue affects versions prior to 1.7.19 and 1.8.11, making it a widespread concern for organizations relying on Apache HTTPD servers with Subversion support. The vulnerability specifically targets the WebDAV implementation within Subversion, which provides remote access capabilities for version control operations through HTTP protocols. When a malicious actor sends a REPORT request to a non-existent resource within the Subversion repository, the module fails to properly handle the request, leading to a NULL pointer dereference that ultimately causes the Apache server process to crash and terminate unexpectedly.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the mod_dav_svn module's handling of WebDAV REPORT requests. When processing a request for a resource that does not exist, the module attempts to access a NULL pointer reference, which results in an immediate crash of the Apache HTTPD process. This type of flaw falls under CWE-476, which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities in software systems. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of HTTP protocol handling and memory management, where the module's failure to properly validate resource existence before attempting to access associated data structures leads to the system crash. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only a single malformed REPORT request to trigger the denial of service condition, making it easily exploitable by remote attackers without requiring authentication or elevated privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Subversion repositories for version control operations. The denial of service condition effectively renders the affected Apache server unavailable, disrupting development workflows and potentially causing production downtime. The crash occurs at the process level, meaning that legitimate users cannot access the repository until the Apache service is manually restarted. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion or process termination. Organizations utilizing Subversion with mod_dav_svn enabled face potential operational disruption that could affect multiple concurrent users accessing the repository simultaneously, making the impact multiplier significant in collaborative development environments.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2014-3580 involves immediate patching of affected Apache Subversion installations to versions 1.7.19 or 1.8.11, which contain the necessary fixes for the NULL pointer dereference issue. System administrators should also implement network-level controls to restrict access to WebDAV endpoints where possible, particularly for external networks. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns of REPORT requests that might indicate attempted exploitation. Organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed WebDAV requests targeting non-existent resources. The fix addresses the root cause by properly validating resource existence before attempting to access associated memory structures, preventing the NULL pointer dereference that previously caused the server crashes. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and error handling in web server modules, particularly those implementing protocol extensions like WebDAV that provide additional attack surface for remote exploitation.