Re: problem with mod_proxy/mod_rewrite being used for the front-end proxy
According to Greg Stark: > > This isn't entirely on-topic but it's a solution often suggested for mod_perl > users so I suspect there are other users here being bitten by the same > problems. In fact the manner in which problems manifest are such that it's > possible that many mod_perl users who are using mod_rewrite/mod_proxy to run > a reverse proxy in front of their heavyweight perl servers have a security > problem and don't even know it. > > The problem is that the solution written in the mod_rewrite guide for a > reverse proxy doesn't work as advertised to block incoming proxy requests. > > RewriteRule^(http|ftp)://.* - [F] > > This is supposed to block incoming proxy requests that aren't specifically > created by the rewrite rules that follow. > > The problem is that both mod_rewrite and mod_proxy have changed, and this > seems to no longer catch the incoming proxy requests. Instead mod_rewrite > seems to see just the path part of the URI, ie, /foo/bar/baz.pl without the > http://.../. Setting ProxyRequests off should disable any explict proxy requests from clients. It does not stop ProxyPass or RewriteRule specified proxying. My server logs a 302 error and sends a redirect to http://www.goto.com/d/home/p/digimedia/context/ (interesting - I didn't know where it was redirecting before...). I do see quite a few of these in my logfiles, mostly trying to bump up the ad counters on some other sites, I think. Les Mikesell [EMAIL PROTECTED]
problem with mod_proxy/mod_rewrite being used for the front-end proxy
This isn't entirely on-topic but it's a solution often suggested for mod_perl users so I suspect there are other users here being bitten by the same problems. In fact the manner in which problems manifest are such that it's possible that many mod_perl users who are using mod_rewrite/mod_proxy to run a reverse proxy in front of their heavyweight perl servers have a security problem and don't even know it. The problem is that the solution written in the mod_rewrite guide for a reverse proxy doesn't work as advertised to block incoming proxy requests. RewriteRule^(http|ftp)://.* - [F] This is supposed to block incoming proxy requests that aren't specifically created by the rewrite rules that follow. The problem is that both mod_rewrite and mod_proxy have changed, and this seems to no longer catch the incoming proxy requests. Instead mod_rewrite seems to see just the path part of the URI, ie, /foo/bar/baz.pl without the http://.../. I've even tried using ${THE_REQUEST} which actually matches, and says it's forcing the response to be forbidden, then it happily proxies the request anyways! I'm using a deny from all http://127.0.0.1/> allow from all section to at least avoid being an open proxy to the outside world, but I cannot find any way in 1.3.12 to refuse all proxy requests coming from the outside. If you're not aware of the problem at all and have merely followed the advice of the mod_rewrite guide you are probably an open proxy, allowing attackers to use your web server to attack other sites anonymously. -- greg