CVE-2019-12159 in GoHTTP
Summary
by MITRE
GoHTTP through 2017-07-25 has a stack-based buffer over-read in the scan function (when called from getRequestType) via a long URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12159 affects GoHTTP versions up to and including the 2017-07-25 release, representing a critical stack-based buffer over-read condition that occurs within the scan function when processing HTTP requests. This flaw manifests specifically when the software encounters a request with an excessively long URL, creating a scenario where memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries is accessed during the parsing process. The vulnerability resides in the HTTP request parsing logic where the scan function attempts to process URL components without adequate bounds checking, leading to potential memory corruption and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the HTTP request handling mechanism of GoHTTP. When a maliciously crafted request containing an abnormally long URL is processed, the scan function fails to properly limit the buffer size allocated for URL parsing operations. This results in the function reading beyond the intended memory boundaries, potentially accessing adjacent stack memory locations that contain other variables, function return addresses, or sensitive data. The issue is classified as a stack-based buffer over-read because the vulnerability occurs on the program stack where local variables are stored, making it particularly dangerous as it can lead to information disclosure or arbitrary code execution depending on the memory contents accessed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it creates potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors. An attacker capable of sending specially crafted HTTP requests with excessively long URLs could potentially trigger memory corruption that might lead to system crashes, data leaks, or even remote code execution in certain configurations. The vulnerability affects any system running affected versions of GoHTTP, making it particularly concerning for web servers, proxy systems, and other HTTP handling applications that rely on this software component. The timing of the vulnerability's discovery and the specific version affected suggests this was likely a long-standing issue that had not been properly addressed in the software's development lifecycle.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as the most effective solution involves updating to a patched version of GoHTTP that implements proper bounds checking in the scan function. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at network boundaries to filter out suspiciously long URLs before they reach the vulnerable software components. Network administrators should consider implementing rate limiting and request size restrictions to prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, system monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of long URL requests that might indicate attempted exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and potentially relates to ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution through HTTP request manipulation. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on malformed HTTP requests containing excessively long URL components to prevent successful exploitation attempts.