CVE-2018-14505 in mitmproxy
Summary
by MITRE
mitmweb in mitmproxy v4.0.3 allows DNS Rebinding attacks, related to tools/web/app.py.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-14505 affects mitmweb, a component of the mitmproxy toolset version 4.0.3, specifically within the tools/web/app.py module. This issue enables man-in-the-middle attackers to perform DNS rebinding attacks against users who interact with the mitmweb interface. The flaw arises from insufficient validation of DNS responses and host resolution mechanisms within the web application framework, creating a security gap that can be exploited to bypass normal network security controls and access internal resources.
This vulnerability falls under the category of DNS rebinding attacks, which leverage the way DNS resolution works to trick applications into making requests to internal network resources that would normally be protected by firewalls and network segmentation. The technical flaw exists in how mitmweb processes DNS responses and handles host name resolution, allowing attackers to manipulate the DNS resolution process to redirect traffic to internal hosts that should not be accessible through the web interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, where it can intercept and manipulate traffic between clients and servers without proper authentication or authorization checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations that use mitmproxy for network debugging, security testing, or traffic inspection purposes. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain access to internal network services, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or further network compromise. The attack can be particularly effective in environments where mitmweb is deployed on networks with internal services that are normally protected by firewalls or other network security controls. This vulnerability undermines the security posture of systems that rely on mitmproxy for legitimate network monitoring activities, as it introduces a potential attack vector that could be used to bypass network security measures.
Mitigations for this vulnerability include upgrading to a patched version of mitmproxy that addresses the DNS rebinding issue, implementing proper DNS validation mechanisms within the web application, and restricting access to the mitmweb interface through network segmentation and access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging to detect suspicious DNS resolution patterns that might indicate an active DNS rebinding attack. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-605, which addresses "Double-checked locking" and "Use of a Non-reentrant Lock," and relates to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol tunneling. Network administrators should also consider implementing DNS sinkholing or DNS filtering to prevent malicious DNS responses from being resolved within the affected environment.