CVE-2014-3624 in Traffic Server
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Traffic Server 5.1.x before 5.1.1 allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions by leveraging failure to properly tunnel remap requests using CONNECT.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2021
Apache Traffic Server version 5.1.x prior to 5.1.1 contains a critical security vulnerability that enables remote attackers to circumvent access controls through improper handling of remap requests during CONNECT tunneling operations. This flaw exists within the proxy server's request processing logic where it fails to correctly validate and enforce access restrictions when processing remap configurations during secure tunnel establishment. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system attempts to tunnel requests through CONNECT methods, which are typically used to establish secure connections to upstream servers. When Traffic Server processes these requests, it does not adequately verify that the remap rules should be applied to the target host, allowing unauthorized access to resources that should be restricted. This represents a significant bypass of the proxy server's security controls, as the system fails to enforce the configured access policies during the tunneling process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the protocol level where secure connections are established, potentially allowing attackers to access restricted content or services without proper authentication or authorization. According to the CWE catalog, this issue falls under CWE-284 which describes improper access control, specifically where insufficient checks are performed during tunneling operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique where an attacker can bypass access control mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to resources. The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows remote attackers to potentially access restricted content, internal services, or sensitive data that should only be available to authorized users. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specific CONNECT requests that leverage the remap functionality to bypass configured access restrictions. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Apache Traffic Server for content delivery and proxy services, particularly those with complex access control policies and internal network segmentation. Organizations using versions 5.1.0 and earlier are at risk of unauthorized access to their network resources, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or further lateral movement within the network. The fix for this vulnerability involves updating to Apache Traffic Server version 5.1.1 or later, which includes proper validation of remap requests during CONNECT tunneling operations and ensures that access restrictions are properly enforced. Security administrators should also review their proxy configurations to ensure that remap rules are properly secured and that access controls are consistently applied across all tunneling operations. Additional mitigations may include implementing network-level controls to restrict access to the proxy server and monitoring for anomalous CONNECT requests that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement during secure connection establishment processes, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of proxy server implementations. Organizations should prioritize this update as it addresses a critical weakness in their network security infrastructure, particularly for those relying on Traffic Server for content delivery and access control enforcement.