CVE-2018-1301 in HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
A specially crafted request could have crashed the Apache HTTP Server prior to version 2.4.30, due to an out of bound access after a size limit is reached by reading the HTTP header. This vulnerability is considered very hard if not impossible to trigger in non-debug mode (both log and build level), so it is classified as low risk for common server usage.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2023
The Apache HTTP Server vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1301 represents a critical memory safety issue that could lead to denial of service conditions through controlled crash exploitation. This vulnerability manifests when the server processes specially crafted HTTP requests that exceed predetermined size limits during header parsing operations. The flaw occurs within the server's handling of HTTP header data where boundary conditions are not properly validated, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that ultimately result in process termination. The vulnerability specifically affects Apache HTTP Server versions prior to 2.4.30, making it a version-specific issue that impacts organizations running older server configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during HTTP header processing within the server's core parsing mechanisms. When an HTTP request containing oversized header values is received, the server's internal buffer management fails to properly enforce size constraints, resulting in out-of-bounds memory access operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which specifically addresses improper validation of buffer limits and inadequate bounds checking in memory operations. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited to cause system instability and service disruption through controlled resource exhaustion or access violations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant concern for server administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining Apache HTTP Server deployments. While the vulnerability is classified as low risk for common server usage due to the difficulty of triggering it in production environments, the potential for denial of service attacks remains substantial. The complexity of exploitation in non-debug modes makes this vulnerability less likely to be weaponized by automated attack tools, but skilled adversaries could potentially craft specific request patterns to leverage the memory access violation. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1499.004 technique category, which encompasses network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion or system instability.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2018-1301 centers primarily on upgrading Apache HTTP Server installations to version 2.4.30 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the out-of-bounds memory access issue. System administrators should prioritize this update across all production environments, particularly those handling high volumes of HTTP traffic or serving critical applications. Additional protective measures include implementing proper input validation at the network level through firewalls and intrusion detection systems to filter suspicious header patterns, though such measures are not comprehensive solutions. The vulnerability's classification as low risk for typical usage scenarios suggests that organizations with proper patch management procedures and monitoring systems should not face significant operational disruption from this specific flaw, but proactive remediation remains essential for maintaining server stability and security posture.