CVE-2018-11783 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2018-11783 was published on February 12, 2019, by Apache Software Foundation. The vulnerability affects Apache Traffic Server versions 6.0.0 to 6.0.3, 7.0.0 to 7.1.5, and 8.0.0 to 8.0.1, allowing for potential information disclosure.

Understanding CVE-2018-11783

CVE-2018-11783 is a security vulnerability in Apache Traffic Server related to the sslheaders plugin, which fails to remove headers from the request in certain scenarios, potentially leading to information disclosure.

What is CVE-2018-11783?

The sslheaders plugin in Apache Traffic Server is designed to extract data from client certificates and add headers to requests based on its configuration. However, a flaw in the plugin allows it to retain headers in the request, posing a risk of exposing sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11783

The vulnerability could result in information disclosure, where unauthorized parties may access sensitive data contained in the retained headers, compromising the confidentiality of the communication.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11783

CVE-2018-11783 involves the sslheaders plugin in Apache Traffic Server and its failure to remove headers from requests, potentially leading to information leakage.

Vulnerability Description

The sslheaders plugin, when configured in certain ways, does not properly strip headers from requests, allowing for the unintended exposure of sensitive information contained in these headers.

Affected Systems and Versions

Apache Traffic Server 6.0.0 to 6.0.3
Apache Traffic Server 7.0.0 to 7.1.5
Apache Traffic Server 8.0.0 to 8.0.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting requests that trigger the sslheaders plugin to retain headers containing confidential data, subsequently intercepting and utilizing this information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-11783 and enhance security measures, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or restrict access to the sslheaders plugin if not essential for operations.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Apache Traffic Server to the latest version to ensure patches for known vulnerabilities are applied.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential security breaches.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates provided by Apache Software Foundation to address the vulnerability in affected versions of Apache Traffic Server.