CVE-2014-5329 in File Server
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2023
GIGAPOD file servers (Appliance model and Software model) provide two web interfaces, 80/tcp and 443/tcp for user operation, and 8001/tcp for administrative operation. 8001/tcp is served by a version of Apache HTTP server containing a flaw in handling HTTP requests (CVE-2011-3192), which may lead to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5329 affects GIGAPOD file servers across both appliance and software models, presenting a critical security weakness through their administrative web interface. These devices expose multiple network ports including standard HTTP and HTTPS services on ports 80 and 443 for regular user operations, while maintaining a dedicated administrative interface on port 8001. The administrative interface operates using an Apache HTTP server instance that contains a known vulnerability from 2011, specifically CVE-2011-3192, which represents a significant flaw in the server's handling of HTTP requests that can be exploited for denial-of-service attacks. This particular Apache vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain HTTP request methods, particularly those involving the PUT and DELETE operations, which can cause the web server to crash or become unresponsive when processing malformed requests. The flaw manifests through the server's failure to properly validate and sanitize incoming HTTP requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to craft specific request patterns that trigger memory corruption or resource exhaustion conditions within the Apache process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it compromises the integrity of the administrative interface that controls critical file server functions. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can render the administrative web interface completely inaccessible, preventing legitimate administrators from managing the file server configuration, monitoring system performance, or applying security updates. This denial-of-service condition effectively removes the organization's ability to maintain control over their file storage infrastructure, potentially leading to extended downtime while recovery procedures are implemented. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the administrative interface that typically requires elevated privileges and contains sensitive configuration data, meaning that exploitation could potentially lead to broader system compromise if other security controls are weak.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-119, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited context, and specifically relates to CWE-122, which deals with insufficient synchronization of data access. The attack pattern follows typical ATT&CK techniques categorized under T1499, which involves disruption of services through resource exhaustion, and T1566, which encompasses the initial access phase through exploitation of network services. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including network segmentation to isolate the administrative port 8001 from unauthorized access, applying network access control lists to restrict traffic to only trusted administrative workstations, and upgrading the Apache HTTP server instance to a patched version that resolves CVE-2011-3192. The recommended remediation approach involves replacing the vulnerable Apache installation with a patched version or implementing a web application firewall to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable service. Additionally, regular vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network services that may be running older software versions susceptible to known exploits.