CVE-2023-38522
Apache Traffic Server: Incomplete field name check allows request smuggling
Description
Apache Traffic Server accepts characters that are not allowed for HTTP field names and forwards malformed requests to origin servers. This can be utilized for request smuggling and may also lead cache poisoning if the origin servers are vulnerable. This issue affects Apache Traffic Server: from 8.0.0 through 8.1.10, from 9.0.0 through 9.2.4. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 8.1.11 or 9.2.5, which fixes the issue.
INFO
Published Date :
July 26, 2024, 10:15 a.m.
Last Modified :
Nov. 3, 2025, 10:16 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source | 
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | 
Solution
- Upgrade to Apache Traffic Server version 8.1.11 or 9.2.5 or later.
 
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
                                            Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
                                            information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
                                            CVE-2023-38522.
                                        
| URL | Resource | 
|---|---|
| https://lists.apache.org/thread/c4mcmpblgl8kkmyt56t23543gp8v56m0 | Mailing List Vendor Advisory | 
| https://lists.apache.org/thread/c4mcmpblgl8kkmyt56t23543gp8v56m0 | Mailing List Vendor Advisory | 
| https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/09/msg00040.html | 
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
            While CVE identifies
            specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
            weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2023-38522 is
            associated with the following CWEs:
        
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
            (CAPEC)
            stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
            approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2023-38522
            weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
			The following list is the news that have been mention
			CVE-2023-38522 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
		
                The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
                CVE-2023-38522 vulnerability over time.
            
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
- 
                            
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Nov. 03, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/09/msg00040.html  - 
                            
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Sep. 19, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Removed CWE CWE-86  - 
                            
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Nov. 21, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://lists.apache.org/thread/c4mcmpblgl8kkmyt56t23543gp8v56m0  - 
                            
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Aug. 13, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CWE Apache Software Foundation CWE-444 Removed CWE Apache Software Foundation CWE-20  - 
                            
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Aug. 12, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 NIST AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N Changed Reference Type https://lists.apache.org/thread/c4mcmpblgl8kkmyt56t23543gp8v56m0 No Types Assigned https://lists.apache.org/thread/c4mcmpblgl8kkmyt56t23543gp8v56m0 Mailing List, Vendor Advisory Added CWE NIST CWE-444 Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:apache:traffic_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 8.0.0 up to (excluding) 8.1.11 *cpe:2.3:a:apache:traffic_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions from (including) 9.0.0 up to (excluding) 9.2.5  - 
                            
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Aug. 01, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CWE CISA-ADP CWE-86 Added CVSS V3.1 CISA-ADP AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N  - 
                            
CVE Received by [email protected]
Jul. 26, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Description Apache Traffic Server accepts characters that are not allowed for HTTP field names and forwards malformed requests to origin servers. This can be utilized for request smuggling and may also lead cache poisoning if the origin servers are vulnerable. This issue affects Apache Traffic Server: from 8.0.0 through 8.1.10, from 9.0.0 through 9.2.4. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 8.1.11 or 9.2.5, which fixes the issue. Added Reference Apache Software Foundation https://lists.apache.org/thread/c4mcmpblgl8kkmyt56t23543gp8v56m0 [No types assigned] Added CWE Apache Software Foundation CWE-20