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In a recent discovery, Offensive Security Engineer Faiyaz Ahmad demonstrated how a basic HTTP 302 Found response code could expose critical vulnerabilities. By manipulating the response, he uncovered sensitive information without complex exploits—just a minor tweak in the HTTP response.
This technique is particularly useful for bug bounty hunters and security researchers performing reconnaissance and response analysis.
Watch the full explanation here: https://lnkd.in/dH2AkMc8
You Should Know:
1. Understanding HTTP 302 Redirection
HTTP 302 is a temporary redirect status code. Attackers can manipulate it to:
– Bypass access controls
– Leak internal paths
– Perform open redirect attacks
Example:
curl -v http://example.com/login
Check for:
HTTP/1.1 302 Found Location: /admin/dashboard
2. Exploiting Misconfigured 302 Responses
If the server does not validate redirects, an attacker can modify the `Location` header to access restricted areas.
Testing with cURL:
curl -H "Location: http://malicious.com" http://target.com/redirect?url=internal
3. Detecting Open Redirects
Use automated tools or manual testing:
ffuf -u "http://target.com/redirect?url=FUZZ" -w redirect-payloads.txt
4. Bypassing Security with 302 Manipulation
If a 302 response exposes internal paths, try:
curl -I http://target.com/admin -H "X-Forwarded-For: 127.0.0.1"
5. Mitigation Techniques
- Validate `Location` headers
- Use strict URL filtering
- Implement proper access controls
Example in Apache:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} ^/admin [bash]
RewriteRule ^ - [bash]
What Undercode Say
HTTP 302 responses are often overlooked but can lead to severe security flaws. Attackers can exploit misconfigurations to bypass security mechanisms, leak internal paths, or redirect users to malicious sites. Always validate redirects and implement strict server-side checks.
Expected Output:
HTTP/1.1 302 Found Location: /restricted_area
If manipulated:
HTTP/1.1 302 Found Location: http://attacker.com/phishing
Prediction
As web applications evolve, misconfigured HTTP responses will remain a low-hanging fruit for attackers. Automated scanners will increasingly flag improper 302 handling, making it a standard check in penetration tests.
Relevant URLs:
IT/Security Reporter URL:
Reported By: Faiyaz Ahmad – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
