A use-after-free vulnerability exists in the HTTP Connection Headers parsing in Tinyproxy 1.11.1 and Tinyproxy 1.10.0. A specially crafted HTTP header can trigger reuse of previously freed memory, which leads to memory corruption and could lead to remote code execution. An attacker needs to make an unauthenticated HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability.
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as critical with a CVSS score of 9.8. This high score indicates that the risk to organizations includes significant potential for unauthorized access and control over affected systems, emphasizing the importance of immediate action.
Currently, the vulnerability is not known to be actively exploited in the wild, but the possibility for exploitation exists given the nature of the flaw. Therefore, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
This vulnerability is documented in the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) under CWE-416, which relates to use-after-free vulnerabilities. The implications of such vulnerabilities can be severe, leading to data breaches and system integrity compromises.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2023-49606 states: 'A use-after-free vulnerability exists in the HTTP Connection Headers parsing in Tinyproxy 1.11.1 and Tinyproxy 1.10.0. A specially crafted HTTP header can trigger reuse of previously freed memory, which leads to memory corruption and could lead to remote code execution. An attacker needs to make an unauthenticated HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability.'
The vulnerability is classified under the CWE-416 category, indicating it is a use-after-free issue. The CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability, with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The affected products are Tinyproxy versions 1.10.0 and 1.11.1. This vulnerability was published on May 1, 2024, and is currently classified as modified.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation in Tinyproxy. When a specially crafted HTTP header is received, the application may reuse memory that has already been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior, memory corruption, and potential remote code execution.
The attack vector is defined as network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit this vulnerability from a remote location without needing physical access to the system. The attack complexity is low, as it does not require authentication or user interaction, making it relatively easy for an attacker to exploit.
In terms of impact, the vulnerability has high implications for confidentiality, integrity, and availability, which means that successful exploitation could allow an attacker to access sensitive data, alter system operations, and disrupt service availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The potential risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, system compromise, and disruption of services. Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, it is imperative that organizations assess their exposure and prioritize remediation.
The blast radius of this vulnerability could be significant, especially in environments where Tinyproxy is deployed as a proxy server. If exploited, attackers may gain access to sensitive internal networks, leading to further exploitation of other systems.
Given the CVSS score of 9.8, organizations should address this vulnerability with high urgency, prioritizing it in their patch cycles to mitigate potential risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of Tinyproxy include 1.10.0 and 1.11.1. Organizations using these versions should take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching Tinyproxy to versions that are not affected by this vulnerability. Details on patches or updates can be found in the vendor's advisory. If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should implement configuration hardening measures to limit exposure.
For further testing of security measures, organizations can utilize penetration testing services to validate the effectiveness of their remediation efforts.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unusual HTTP requests that may indicate an attempt to exploit the use-after-free condition. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected application crashes or memory corruption errors, should also be logged and investigated.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2023-49606 highlights the ongoing risks associated with memory management vulnerabilities in widely used software like Tinyproxy. Organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for similar patterns in their software dependencies.
Security teams should consider implementing comprehensive vulnerability management programs to ensure that such vulnerabilities are identified and mitigated promptly. This includes regular security testing and audits.
For enhanced security practices, organizations can refer to the following resources: vulnerability management program design, penetration testing methodology, and security testing best practices for ongoing guidance.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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