CVE-2019-17513 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability has been identified in Ratpack versions prior to 1.7.5 due to incorrect usage of the Netty library's DefaultHttpHeaders class, potentially leading to HTTP Response Splitting.

Understanding CVE-2019-17513

This CVE pertains to a security issue in Ratpack versions before 1.7.5 that could allow HTTP Response Splitting attacks.

What is CVE-2019-17513?

This vulnerability arises from the misuse of the Netty library's DefaultHttpHeaders class, which fails to validate headers for the presence of HTTP control characters. When constructing HTTP headers with untrusted data in Ratpack, it can result in HTTP Response Splitting.

The Impact of CVE-2019-17513

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to manipulate HTTP responses, potentially leading to various security risks such as injection attacks or unauthorized content insertion.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-17513

Ratpack versions prior to 1.7.5 are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from the lack of validation for HTTP control characters in headers constructed using untrusted data in Ratpack.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Ratpack
Vendor: N/A
Versions Affected: All versions before 1.7.5

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious HTTP headers using untrusted data, potentially leading to HTTP Response Splitting.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Ratpack to version 1.7.5 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and review HTTP headers for any suspicious or malicious content.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation mechanisms to sanitize user inputs and prevent malicious data injection.
Stay informed about security updates and best practices for secure web application development.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of security patches and updates provided by Ratpack to address known vulnerabilities.