CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-22720NVD status: Modified

Apache HTTP Server: Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2022-22720 is a critical-severity inconsistent interpretation of HTTP requests vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Apache HTTP Server versions: Apache HTTP Server 2.4 through 2.4.52. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 28.2% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 1.86% of all scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Update macOS to 10.15.7 or 11.6.6, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on httpd.apache.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
ApacheApache HTTP ServerApache HTTP Server 2.4 through 2.4.52Not stated
ApacheHTTP Server2.4.52 and earlierNot stated
Fedora ProjectFedora34; 35; 36Not stated
DebianDebian Linux9.0Not stated
OracleEnterprise Manager Ops Center12.4.0.0Not stated
OracleZfs Storage Appliance Kit8.8Not stated
AppleMac OS X10.15.7Not stated
ApplemacOSbefore 10.15.7; 11.0 up to, but not including, 11.6.6; 12.0 through 12.410.15.7, 11.6.6

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD
CVSS 2.07.5HighNVD

Official description

Apache HTTP Server 2.4.52 and earlier fails to close inbound connection when errors are encountered discarding the request body, exposing the server to HTTP Request Smuggling

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests

The product acts as an intermediary HTTP agent (such as a proxy or firewall) in the data flow between two entities such as a client and server, but it does not interpret malformed HTTP requests or responses in ways that are consistent with how the messages will be processed by those entities that are at the ultimate destination.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Use a web server that employs a strict HTTP parsing procedure, such as Apache.
  • Terminate the client session after each request.

More Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests vulnerabilities (CWE-444)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Patches and release notes

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in Apache HTTP Server

All Apache HTTP Server vulnerabilities

Recent Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests vulnerabilities

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