CVE-2022-38150 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in Varnish Cache versions 7.0.0, 7.0.1, 7.0.2, and 7.1.0 allows attackers to trigger the Varnish Server to assert and restart by sending malicious HTTP/1 backend responses. The issue has been addressed in versions 7.0.3 and 7.1.1.

Understanding CVE-2022-38150

This section provides details about the CVE-2022-38150 vulnerability in Varnish Cache.

What is CVE-2022-38150?

CVE-2022-38150 enables threat actors to manipulate the Varnish Server through specially crafted HTTP/1 backend responses, resulting in server assertion and automatic restart.

The Impact of CVE-2022-38150

Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to service disruptions and potential denial of service (DoS) attacks on systems running affected versions of Varnish Cache.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-38150

Let's delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2022-38150.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Varnish Cache allows an adversary to trigger server assertion and restart due to malformed backend response status lines.

Affected Systems and Versions

Varnish Cache versions 7.0.0, 7.0.1, 7.0.2, and 7.1.0 are vulnerable to CVE-2022-38150, while versions 7.0.3 and 7.1.1 have been patched to address this issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted reason phrase within the backend response status line to the Varnish Server, causing it to assert and automatically restart.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2022-38150 with the following strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Varnish Cache to versions 7.0.3 or 7.1.1 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly apply security patches and updates to Varnish Cache and other software components to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network controls and firewall rules to restrict unauthorized access to the Varnish Cache server.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Varnish Cache and promptly apply patches to address critical vulnerabilities.