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CVE-2024-42516: HTTP Response Splitting Vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server

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Overview

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the CVE-2024-42516, a significant security vulnerability detected in the Apache HTTP Server. This vulnerability, if exploited, allows an attacker to manipulate the Content-Type response headers of applications, potentially leading to a system compromise or data leakage. As Apache HTTP Server is widely used across multiple platforms and industries, understanding and addressing this vulnerability is of utmost importance.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2024-42516
Severity: High (CVSS: 7.5)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: System compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

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Product | Affected Versions

Apache HTTP Server | 2.4.59

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability CVE-2024-42516 is an HTTP response splitting flaw located in the core of Apache HTTP Server. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate the Content-Type response headers of applications hosted or proxied by the server, thereby splitting the HTTP response. This splitting can potentially be used to trick the server into sending arbitrary responses, resulting in cache poisoning, cross-user defacement, cross-site scripting, or even potential remote code execution.

Conceptual Example Code

Below is a high-level conceptual example of how this vulnerability might be exploited:

GET /vulnerable/endpoint HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8%0D%0ASet-Cookie:%20malicious_cookie=malicious_value

In the above example, the attacker manipulates the ‘Content-Type’ header to insert a ‘Set-Cookie’ header into the response. This allows the attacker to set a malicious cookie on a client’s browser.

Mitigation

Users are recommended to upgrade to Apache HTTP Server version 2.4.64, which includes a patch for this vulnerability. In the interim, employing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) may serve as temporary mitigation strategies.

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Disclaimer:

The information and code presented in this article are provided for educational and defensive cybersecurity purposes only. Any conceptual or pseudocode examples are simplified representations intended to raise awareness and promote secure development and system configuration practices.

Do not use this information to attempt unauthorized access or exploit vulnerabilities on systems that you do not own or have explicit permission to test.

Ameeba and its authors do not endorse or condone malicious behavior and are not responsible for misuse of the content. Always follow ethical hacking guidelines, responsible disclosure practices, and local laws.

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