CVE-2019-12158 in GoHTTP
Summary
by MITRE
GoHTTP through 2017-07-25 has a GetExtension heap-based buffer overflow via a long extension.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12158 affects GoHTTP versions prior to 2017-07-25 and represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw that occurs during the processing of file extensions. This vulnerability resides in the GetExtension function which handles the extraction and manipulation of file extensions from HTTP requests or file paths. The flaw manifests when the application encounters a maliciously crafted extension that exceeds the allocated buffer size, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the GetExtension function. When processing HTTP requests or file operations, the software allocates a fixed-size buffer to store extension data without proper verification of the input length. This allows attackers to supply an extension string that exceeds the predetermined buffer limits, causing adjacent memory to be overwritten. The heap-based nature of the overflow indicates that the vulnerable memory allocation occurs on the heap rather than the stack, making exploitation more complex but potentially more reliable for persistent attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this buffer overflow to manipulate heap memory layout, potentially redirecting program execution flow or injecting malicious code into the application process. The vulnerability affects any system utilizing GoHTTP versions before the specified patch date, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where legacy systems may not have received timely updates. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classification and represents a significant concern for web application security.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in web applications. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as heap protection mechanisms, address space layout randomization, and input sanitization layers to mitigate potential exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as attackers may use similar techniques to establish persistent access through heap corruption. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of GoHTTP versions to ensure compliance with security baselines and prevent exploitation attempts that could lead to complete system compromise.