[Full-disclosure] Apache Illegal Request Handling Possible XSS Vulnerability

Richard Moore rich at westpoint.ltd.uk
Tue Apr 24 10:07:23 BST 2007


Michal Majchrowicz wrote:
> Hi.
> I think now we can classify this as flaw in Apache. It accepts
> requests that simply make no sense. Take a look at this example:
> <script>alert(document.cookie);</script> /test.php
> <script>alert(document.cookie);</script>
> In some circumstances it may cause XSS vulnerability:
> <?php
>         echo $_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'];
>         echo $_SERVER['SERVER_PROTOCOL'];
> ?>

As Kradorex Xeron said, that's a flaw in the script. Apache needs
to let arbitrary verbs through to the PHP (or other server extension) 
otherwise tools like webdav that require additional verbs could not
be implemented. It is possibly arguable that it should restrict the
verbs to a single alphanumeric string, but it certainly can't be
counted on to be just GET/POST etc.

Cheers

Rich.

> I am now investigating other possible attacks.
> Regards Michal Majchrowicz.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Full-Disclosure - We believe in it.
> Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html
> Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/
> 
> 


-- 
Richard Moore, Principal Software Engineer,
Westpoint Ltd,
Albion Wharf, 19 Albion Street, Manchester, M1 5LN, England
Tel: +44 161 237 1028
Fax: +44 161 237 1031




Full-Disclosure is hosted and sponsored by Secunia.