CVE-2023-25690: Apache HTTP Server: HTTP request splitting with mod_rewrite and mod_proxy

Published Mar 7, 2023
·
Updated

A vulnerability was found in httpd. This security issue occurs when some modproxy configurations on Apache HTTP Server allow an HTTP Request Smuggling attack. Configurations are affected when modproxy is enabled along with some form of RewriteRule or ProxyPassMatch in which a non-specific pattern matches some portion of the user-supplied request-target (URL) data and is then re-inserted into the proxied request-target using variable substitution.

Other sources

Some modproxy configurations on Apache HTTP Server versions 2.4.0 through 2.4.55 allow a HTTP Request Smuggling attack.

Configurations are affected when modproxy is enabled along with some form of RewriteRule or ProxyPassMatch in which a non-specific pattern matches some portion of the user-supplied request-target (URL) data and is then re-inserted into the proxied request-target using variable substitution. For example, something like:

RewriteEngine on RewriteRule "^/here/(.)" "http://example.com:8080/elsewhere?$1"; [P] ProxyPassReverse /here/ http://example.com:8080/

Request splitting/smuggling could result in bypass of access controls in the proxy server, proxying unintended URLs to existing origin servers, and cache poisoning. Users are recommended to update to at least version 2.4.56 of Apache HTTP Server.

MITRE

Some modproxy configurations on Apache HTTP Server versions 2.4.0 through 2.4.55 allow a HTTP Request Smuggling attack. Configurations are affected when modproxy is enabled along with some form of RewriteRule or ProxyPassMatch in which a non-specific pattern matches some portion of the user-supplied request-target (URL) data and is then re-inserted into the proxied request-target using variable substitution.

References: https://httpd.apache.org/security/vulnerabilities24.html https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/03/07/1

Red Hat

Affected Software

8 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/jbcs-httpd24-httpd<0:2.4.51-39.el8
0:2.4.51-39.el8
redhat/jbcs-httpd24-httpd<0:2.4.51-39.el7
0:2.4.51-39.el7
redhat/httpd<0:2.4.6-98.el7_9.7
0:2.4.6-98.el7_9.7
redhat/httpd<0:2.4.53-7.el9_1.5
0:2.4.53-7.el9_1.5
redhat/httpd<0:2.4.51-7.el9_0.4
0:2.4.51-7.el9_0.4
redhat/httpd24-httpd<0:2.4.34-23.el7.6
0:2.4.34-23.el7.6
redhat/httpd<2.4.56
2.4.56
Apache HTTP Server>=2.4.0<=2.4.55

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/jbcs-httpd24-httpd to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.4.51-39.el8
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/jbcs-httpd24-httpd to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.4.51-39.el7
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/httpd to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.4.6-98.el7_9.7
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/httpd to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.4.53-7.el9_1.5
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/httpd to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.4.51-7.el9_0.4
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/httpd24-httpd to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 0:2.4.34-23.el7.6
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/httpd to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.4.56
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade httpd (Apache HTTP Server) to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.4.56
  9. Compensating control

    If upgrading to Apache HTTP Server 2.4.56+ is not immediately possible, review configurations that have mod_proxy enabled combined with RewriteRule/ProxyPassMatch, and avoid non-specific patterns that match user-supplied request-target data which is then re-inserted into the proxied request-target via variable substitution (e.g., RewriteRule or ProxyPassMatch patterns that can cause request splitting/smuggling behavior).

Event History

Mar 7, 2023
CVE Published
12:00 AM
CVE Published
via MITRE·03:09 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·03:09 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·04:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·04:20 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2023-25690?

CVE-2023-25690 is a vulnerability found in httpd, specifically in mod_proxy configurations on Apache HTTP Server versions 2.4.0 through 2.4.55.

2

How severe is CVE-2023-25690?

CVE-2023-25690 has a severity rating of critical (9 out of 10).

3

Which software versions are affected by CVE-2023-25690?

CVE-2023-25690 affects Apache HTTP Server versions 2.4.0 through 2.4.55, jbcs-httpd24-httpd versions 2.4.51-39.el8 and 2.4.51-39.el7, httpd version 2.4.6-98.el7_9.7, and httpd versions 2.4.53-7.el9_1.5 and 2.4.51-7.el9_0.4.

4

How can I fix CVE-2023-25690?

To fix CVE-2023-25690, it is recommended to update to the latest patched versions of the affected software mentioned in the advisory.

5

Where can I find more information about CVE-2023-25690?

More information about CVE-2023-25690 can be found on the official CVE website, NIST NVD, Apache HTTP Server security vulnerabilities page, and the Red Hat Bugzilla and Errata pages.

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