CVE-2022-38113 - Information Disclosure Via Server Response Headers: Unmasking Version Numbers with Potential for Exploit

The vulnerability known as CVE-2022-38113 is an information disclosure threat in which an attacker can ascertain the build and service versions from a server's response header. This leak of sensitive information can provide cybercriminals a significant lead in crafting exploits, enabling them to take advantage of known vulnerabilities within these particular builds and services.

In this article, we will delve into details of this vulnerability, including a code snippet demonstrating how it can be exploited, and we'll provide references to the original vulnerability reports for those who are keen to obtain more details.

Code Snippet

The following code snippet illustrates how an attacker could leverage a simple Python script to extract server header information, including the build and services versions:

import requests

url = "https://vulnerable-website.com/";
response = requests.get(url)

server_header = response.headers.get("Server", "Server header not found")
print(f"Server header: {server_header}")

If the URL specified corresponds to a server susceptible to the CVE-2022-38113 vulnerability, the script's output would reveal information on build and service versions present in the server header. An attacker could misuse this information to plan targeted attacks efficiently.

Exploit Details

Exposing build and service versions might seem inconsequential at first glance, but in reality, doing so significantly increases the potential for exploitation. Attackers often use this information as a starting point for their attacks, tailoring their approach to exploit known vulnerabilities specific to the exposed versions. Consequently, the vulnerability enables seamless exploitation - making the attacker's job considerably easier.

The server's response header should not provide such details. To protect from this vulnerability, it is essential to obscure this information and ensure that response headers do not divulge these critical details. Many server configurations can accomplish this, but the specifics depend on the server software in use.

For more information and details on how to protect against CVE-2022-38113, consult the following resources:
- CVE-2022-38113 Vulnerability Disclosure (NIST National Vulnerability Database)
- Information Disclosure Through Server Response Headers (OWASP)

Original References

CVE-2022-38113 was first reported and documented by security researchers, and this discovery has since been added to reputable vulnerability databases. For more information on the vulnerability, we encourage you to consult the following resources:
- CVE-2022-38113 Vulnerability Report (MITRE CVE)
- CVE-2022-38113 Vulnerability Analysis (Vulnerability Notes Database)

Conclusion

CVE-2022-38113 is an information disclosure vulnerability that could compromise your server's security by revealing build and service version details in the server response header. An attacker can use this information to design exploits specific to these versions, ultimately posing a risk to your online assets. In order to maintain a robust security posture, implement server configurations to obfuscate these details, effectively mitigating any potential exploitation attempts.

Timeline

Published on: 11/23/2022 17:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 08/03/2023 18:15:00 UTC