CVE-2016-8024 in VirusScan Enterprise Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Improper neutralization of CRLF sequences in HTTP headers vulnerability in Intel Security VirusScan Enterprise Linux (VSEL) 2.0.3 (and earlier) allows remote unauthenticated attacker to obtain sensitive information via the server HTTP response spoofing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8024 represents a critical security flaw in Intel Security VirusScan Enterprise Linux version 2.0.3 and earlier releases. This issue manifests as an improper neutralization of CRLF (Carriage Return Line Feed) sequences within HTTP headers, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through HTTP response spoofing techniques. The vulnerability exists in the server-side processing of HTTP responses where CRLF characters are not adequately sanitized, allowing attackers to inject malicious sequences that can manipulate HTTP header parsing. The flaw specifically impacts the way the VSEL software handles HTTP responses, potentially enabling attackers to inject additional headers or manipulate existing ones through carefully crafted requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of HTTP header data within the VSEL application. When the software processes incoming HTTP requests and generates responses, it fails to properly escape or remove CRLF sequences that may be present in user-supplied data or in the HTTP headers themselves. This improper handling creates an environment where an attacker can inject malicious CRLF sequences into HTTP headers, effectively allowing them to manipulate the HTTP response structure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-117, which specifically addresses improper output neutralization for logs, and falls within the broader category of HTTP response splitting attacks that have been documented in various security frameworks. The flaw enables attackers to perform header injection attacks that can lead to various malicious outcomes including cache poisoning, cross-site scripting, and session hijacking.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes the VSEL system to significant risks that can compromise the integrity of the security infrastructure. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this weakness to inject malicious headers into HTTP responses, potentially leading to information disclosure and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate HTTP headers in ways that can bypass security controls, inject malicious content into responses, or redirect traffic to malicious endpoints. This creates a substantial risk for organizations relying on VSEL for endpoint protection, as the attacker could potentially use this vulnerability to gain insights into the internal network structure, manipulate security policies, or establish persistent access points within the environment. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks that could compromise the entire security ecosystem.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8024 should focus on immediate patching and implementation of proper input validation measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to VSEL versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as Intel has released patches specifically designed to resolve the CRLF sequence handling issues. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict HTTP header validation at all levels of the network infrastructure, including firewalls, proxies, and load balancers, to prevent malicious CRLF sequences from reaching the vulnerable application. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper input sanitization routines, and regular security audits can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can monitor for anomalous HTTP header patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol: DNS, and demonstrates how improper input handling can lead to broader exploitation capabilities within network security systems. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the fix does not introduce compatibility issues with existing security policies or network configurations, while also implementing monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts.