Description
The http_request_split_value function in request.c in lighttpd before 1.4.32 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a request with a header containing an empty token, as demonstrated using the "Connection: TE,,Keep-Alive" header.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | lighttpd | 1.4.31-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | lighttpd | 1.4.31-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | lighttpd | 1.4.31-2 | — |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | lighttpd | 1.4.37-1.6 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10402-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- lighttpd 1.4.31 - Denial of Service (PoC) EDB-22902 · dos · Nov 22, 2012
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10402-1 lighttpd-1.4.37-1.6 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- [oss-security] 20121121 lighttpd 1.4.32 released, fixing CVE-2012-5533 mailing-list
- openSUSE-SU-2012:1532 vendor-advisory
- http://download.lighttpd.net/lighttpd/security/lighttpd_sa_2012_01.txt
- 22902 exploit
- 1027802 vdb-entry
- http://download.lighttpd.net/lighttpd/security/lighttpd-1.4.31_fix_connection_header_dos.patch
- http://packetstormsecurity.org/files/118282/Simple-Lighttpd-1.4.31-Denial-Of-Service.html
- 51268 third-party-advisory
- https://wiki.mageia.org/en/Support/Advisories/MGASA-2012-0345
- 87623 vdb-entry
- HPSBGN03191 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2013:100 vendor-advisory
- lighttpd-httprequestsplitvalue-dos(80213) vdb-entry
- 51298 third-party-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2014:0074 vendor-advisory
- 56619 vdb-entry