CVE-2014-3707 in Communications WebRTC Session Controller
Summary
by MITRE
The curl_easy_duphandle function in libcurl 7.17.1 through 7.38.0, when running with the CURLOPT_COPYPOSTFIELDS option, does not properly copy HTTP POST data for an easy handle, which triggers an out-of-bounds read that allows remote web servers to read sensitive memory information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3707 resides within the libcurl library version range 7.17.1 through 7.38.0, specifically affecting the curl_easy_duphandle function when utilized in conjunction with the CURLOPT_COPYPOSTFIELDS option. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to exploit memory access patterns and potentially extract sensitive information from the application's memory space. The issue manifests when the library attempts to duplicate an easy handle that contains POST data, creating an inconsistent state in the internal memory management structure.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling during the duplication process of HTTP POST data. When curl_easy_duphandle is invoked with CURLOPT_COPYPOSTFIELDS set, the function fails to correctly replicate the POST data buffer and its associated metadata. This results in an out-of-bounds read condition where the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which allows attackers to potentially access uninitialized memory, stack contents, or other sensitive data that may contain authentication tokens, session information, or other confidential material.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential attack vector for remote code execution or privilege escalation scenarios. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP responses that trigger the vulnerable code path, leading to memory leaks that may expose cryptographic keys, user credentials, or application state information. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1005 as it involves data from local system, and T1059 as it could enable further exploitation through command injection. The flaw affects any application that uses libcurl for HTTP communications and implements POST data handling with the copypostfields option, making it particularly dangerous in web applications, API clients, and network utilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3707 primarily involve upgrading to libcurl version 7.38.1 or later, where the memory handling has been corrected to properly duplicate POST data structures. Organizations should also implement input validation and sanitization measures to reduce the attack surface, while monitoring network traffic for potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing affected libcurl versions, and consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, application developers should review their use of curl_easy_duphandle with CURLOPT_COPYPOSTFIELDS to ensure proper error handling and memory management practices are implemented. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in network libraries and highlights the need for thorough testing of edge cases in API functions that handle data duplication and memory allocation.