CWE-644β€”Improper Neutralization of HTTP Headers for Scripting Syntax

PUBLISHEDweakness recordHigh
released 2008-01-30 Β· last modified 2025-12-11

Metadata

CWE ID:
CWE-644
Abstraction:
Variant
Structure:
Simple
Status:
Incomplete
Release Date:
2008-01-30
Latest Modification Date:
2025-12-11

Weakness Name

Improper Neutralization of HTTP Headers for Scripting Syntax

Description

The product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes web scripting syntax in HTTP headers that can be used by web browser components that can process raw headers, such as Flash.

An attacker may be able to conduct cross-site scripting and other attacks against users who have these components enabled. If a product does not neutralize user controlled data being placed in the header of an HTTP response coming from the server, the header may contain a script that will get executed in the client's browser context, potentially resulting in a cross site scripting vulnerability or possibly an HTTP response splitting attack. It is important to carefully control data that is being placed both in HTTP response header and in the HTTP response body to ensure that no scripting syntax is present, taking various encodings into account.

Common Consequences

Scope:
Integrity, Confidentiality, Availability
Impact:
Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands
Notes:
Run arbitrary code.
Scope:
Confidentiality
Impact:
Read Application Data
Notes:
Attackers may be able to obtain sensitive information.

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