CVE-2025-54956 in r-lib
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2025
The gh package before 1.5.0 for R delivers an HTTP response in a data structure that includes the Authorization header from the corresponding HTTP request.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-54956 affects the gh package version 1.5.0 and earlier in the R programming environment, representing a significant security flaw in how HTTP responses are handled within the package's data structures. This issue stems from improper handling of authentication headers during HTTP communication, creating a potential exposure risk for sensitive authentication information.
The technical flaw manifests when the gh package processes HTTP responses and inadvertently includes the Authorization header from the original request within the response data structure. This occurs due to inadequate sanitization or filtering of HTTP response headers, allowing authentication credentials to be stored and potentially exposed in the returned data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to improper handling of sensitive information in HTTP communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for malicious actors who might exploit the exposure of Authorization headers. When the gh package processes HTTP requests and responses, any sensitive authentication tokens, API keys, or credentials contained within these headers could be inadvertently stored in memory or returned as part of the data structure, making them accessible to unauthorized parties. This flaw particularly affects users who rely on the gh package for interacting with GitHub APIs and other HTTP services requiring authentication, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of HTTP authentication mechanisms.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 "Credentials In Files" and T1552.006 "Credentials in Registry" as it represents an improper handling of credentials that could lead to their exposure in application data structures. The vulnerability creates a path for credential theft through data structure contamination, where legitimate application functionality becomes a vector for information leakage. Attackers could potentially exploit this by crafting specific HTTP requests that would cause the Authorization header to be included in response data, which could then be accessed through normal application operations.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to gh package version 1.5.0 or later, which includes proper header sanitization and filtering mechanisms to prevent the inclusion of Authorization headers in response data structures. Additionally, system administrators and developers should implement monitoring for unusual data structure contents that might indicate header leakage, and establish proper access controls to limit exposure of sensitive data. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect potential credential exposure patterns and ensure that all applications using HTTP authentication properly sanitize response headers. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in security-critical applications, particularly those handling authentication information.