Http Request Smuggling

HTTP Request Smuggling: A Critical Threat to Web Security

What is HTTP Request Smuggling?

HTTP Request Smuggling is a malicious technique that exploits web servers' inability to properly distinguish between separate HTTP requests when they are submitted in a continuous data stream. This allows attackers to inject unauthorized requests that can compromise the application or even the entire server.

How does HTTP Request Smuggling work?

HTTP Request Smuggling is usually carried out by manipulating the headers and content of two separate HTTP requests to create a single, malformed request. The attacker's goal is to trick the server into parsing the first request as a complete request and the second request as a continuation of the first. By doing so, they can bypass security controls and execute malicious commands on the server.

What are the risks of HTTP Request Smuggling?

HTTP Request Smuggling is a serious security vulnerability that can lead to several severe consequences, including: - Data Theft: Attackers can steal sensitive data such as user credentials, credit card numbers, and other personal information stored on the server. - Denial of Service: By flooding the server with malformed requests, attackers can cause the server to become overwhelmed and crash, making it unavailable to legitimate users. - Remote Code Execution: In some cases, attackers can use HTTP Request Smuggling to execute arbitrary code on the server, allowing them to gain complete control over the system.

How to prevent HTTP Request Smuggling?

There are several measures that can be taken to prevent HTTP Request Smuggling attacks: - Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF is a specialized security device that helps protect web applications from a variety of attacks, including HTTP Request Smuggling. - Implement HTTP Request Parsing Limits: Limit the size and number of HTTP requests that can be processed by the server, making it more difficult for attackers to exploit Request Smuggling. - Enable HTTP Request Tracking: Keep track of all HTTP requests received by the server, allowing for easier detection of malformed or suspicious requests.

Additional Information:

For additional information on HTTP Request Smuggling, please refer to the following resources: - OWASP HTTP Request Smuggling: https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/HTTP_Request_Smuggling - Google Security Blog: HTTP Request Smuggling: https://security.googleblog.com/2019/10/http-request-smuggling-cve-2019-19781.html