CVE-2023-47641 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security vulnerability has been identified in aiohttp, an asynchronous HTTP client/server framework for asyncio and Python. This CVE focuses on the inconsistent interpretation of

Content-Length

vs.

Transfer-Encoding

, potentially leading to HTTP Request/Response Smuggling.

Understanding CVE-2023-47641

This section delves into the details of the CVE, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-47641?

aiohttp versions prior to 3.8.0 are impacted by a vulnerability where the HTTP protocol's interpretation could be compromised due to discrepancies in the

Content-Length

and

Transfer-Encoding

headers. This inconsistency could result in incorrect entity parsing, leading to potential security risks.

The Impact of CVE-2023-47641

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to bypass proxy rules, potentially poisoning sockets with incorrect data interpretation. This could lead to security breaches such as passing unauthorized headers, orchestrating open redirects, and logging user requests.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-47641

Explore the specifics of the vulnerability in terms of description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the asynchronous parsing of the HTTP protocol in aiohttp, where the presence of both

Content-Length

and

Transfer-Encoding

headers can be manipulated to deceive the system into incorrect parsing, potentially facilitating malicious actions.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects aiohttp versions prior to 3.8.0. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of the HTTP Request/Response Smuggling exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the inconsistent interpretation of HTTP headers, attackers can strategically manipulate the HTTP requests/responses, bypassing security measures and potentially gaining unauthorized access or performing malicious actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the steps necessary to prevent and mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-47641.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are strongly advised to upgrade aiohttp to version 3.8.0 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability. It is crucial to promptly apply the security patch to safeguard systems from potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance overall cybersecurity posture, organizations should adopt robust HTTP header validation practices, regularly update dependencies, and stay informed about security advisories related to aiohttp.

Patching and Updates

Ensuring that software components, especially security-critical ones like aiohttp, are regularly updated is essential. Stay vigilant for future CVEs and promptly apply patches to maintain a secure environment.