CVE-2022-41443 in phpipam
Summary
by MITRE • 10/03/2022
phpipam v1.5.0 was discovered to contain a header injection vulnerability via the component /admin/subnets/ripe-query.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41443 affects phpipam version 1.5.0 and represents a critical header injection flaw within the administrative subnet management component. This issue specifically resides in the /admin/subnets/ripe-query.php file, which processes network subnet queries and handles HTTP response headers. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data that flows into HTTP header generation processes, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary headers into HTTP responses.
This header injection vulnerability falls under the CWE-113 category of Improper Neutralization of CRLF Sequences in HTTP Headers, which is a well-documented weakness in web application security. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate HTTP response headers by injecting carriage return line feed sequences that can alter the behavior of web applications and potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as cross-site scripting or cache poisoning. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in administrative contexts where the application handles sensitive network management data and user authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple header manipulation, as it can be leveraged to perform various malicious activities within the network management environment. Attackers could potentially inject Set-Cookie headers to hijack user sessions, manipulate content-type headers to bypass security controls, or inject redirect headers to perform phishing attacks. In the context of phpipam's administrative functions, this vulnerability could allow unauthorized access to subnet management features, potentially leading to network configuration changes or data exfiltration. The attack surface is further expanded given that the affected component handles RIPE database queries, which may involve processing external data sources that could be compromised.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing strict input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied data before it is used in HTTP header generation. The recommended approach includes employing proper escaping mechanisms for special characters, particularly CRLF sequences, and implementing a whitelist-based validation system for header values. Organizations should immediately upgrade to phpipam versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the official release notes would contain the specific patches and fixes for this header injection issue. Additionally, implementing network-level monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include reviewing all HTTP header generation code within the application to identify and address similar patterns that may exist elsewhere in the codebase. Security teams should consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect header injection vulnerabilities in web applications, as this type of flaw often requires specific testing approaches that may not be covered by standard vulnerability scanners.
Reference to the MITRE ATT&CK framework reveals this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Proxying, where attackers can use header injection to manipulate traffic routing or perform man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with T1566 - Phishing, as header injection can be used to create convincing phishing headers that bypass standard security controls. Organizations should implement comprehensive security awareness training for administrators who work with the phpipam application, emphasizing the importance of keeping software updated and understanding the security implications of network management tools.