Learn about CVE-2021-28662, a vulnerability in Squid 4.x and 5.x allowing denial of service attacks via response headers. Find mitigation steps and affected versions.
An issue was discovered in Squid 4.x before 4.15 and 5.x before 5.0.6 where if a remote server sends a specific response header over HTTP or HTTPS, it can lead to a denial of service attack. This header could potentially appear in harmless network traffic.
Understanding CVE-2021-28662
This section provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-28662.
What is CVE-2021-28662?
CVE-2021-28662 is a vulnerability found in Squid versions 4.x and 5.x that allows a remote server to trigger a denial of service by sending a particular response header during HTTP or HTTPS communication.
The Impact of CVE-2021-28662
The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a denial of service condition on the affected Squid proxy servers, impacting network availability and performance.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-28662
Let's delve into the specifics of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from how Squid processes certain response headers received during HTTP or HTTPS transactions, leading to a potential service denial.
Affected Systems and Versions
All versions of Squid 4.x before 4.15 and 5.x before 5.0.6 are vulnerable to this issue.
Exploitation Mechanism
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted response header to a target Squid server, triggering the denial of service condition.
Mitigation and Prevention
Discover the immediate steps to address the CVE-2021-28662 vulnerability and enhance the long-term security posture of your systems.
Immediate Steps to Take
System administrators are advised to apply the latest patches provided by Squid to mitigate the CVE-2021-28662 vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for any suspicious activities is crucial.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing network segmentation, access controls, and regular security audits can help prevent similar denial of service attacks in the future.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security advisories from Squid and promptly apply patches and updates to safeguard your systems against known vulnerabilities.