CVE-2024-46292 in ModSecurity
Summary
by MITRE • 10/09/2024
A buffer overflow in modsecurity v3.0.12 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted input inserted into the name parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-46292 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the ModSecurity web application firewall version 3.0.12. This flaw specifically manifests when the system processes a crafted input within the name parameter of incoming requests. The buffer overflow occurs due to inadequate input validation and memory management within the ModSecurity module, creating a potential avenue for malicious actors to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability resides in the core processing logic that handles parameter names during request parsing, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard web traffic patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the handling of the name parameter. When ModSecurity encounters a request containing an oversized or malformed name parameter, the system fails to properly validate the input length before attempting to store it in a fixed-size buffer. This memory management failure creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or complete service termination. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically affects the ModSecurity rule engine's parameter processing capabilities. According to CWE classification, this represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability categorized under CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be exploited to create sustained denial of service conditions that may require system restarts or manual intervention to resolve. Attackers can craft malicious requests that trigger the buffer overflow with minimal technical expertise, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments. The DoS condition can affect not only the ModSecurity module itself but potentially the entire web server or application stack depending on how the system handles the memory corruption. Organizations relying on ModSecurity for web application protection face significant risk of service unavailability, which could result in financial losses and reputational damage. The vulnerability affects systems where ModSecurity is deployed as an inline web application firewall, particularly those handling high volumes of requests where a single malicious input could cause cascading failures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-46292 should prioritize immediate patching of ModSecurity to version 3.0.13 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring and logging to detect unusual patterns in parameter handling that might indicate exploitation attempts. Input validation should be enhanced at multiple layers including perimeter defenses, application firewalls, and direct application-level checks. Organizations should also consider implementing rate limiting and request size restrictions to minimize the impact of potential exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the core memory management issue by implementing proper bounds checking and input validation before buffer allocation. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected ModSecurity versions and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patch management protocols should be reinforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the web application firewall ecosystem.