Courses / HTTP Header Manipulation: IP Spoofing

Remediate

Last Edit: 10-05-2024

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Relying on HTTP request headers like X-Forwarded-For, True-Client-IP, and X-Real-IP for security measures such as access control is inherently insecure due to their vulnerability to spoofing. These headers are not a reliable basis for security, so it's crucial to replace them with more robust alternatives.

To remediate the risks associated with HTTP header spoofing, especially with a focus on IP spoofing, consider the following key strategies:

  1. Validate HTTP Headers
: Implement strict validation for headers to prevent spoofing attempts. Reject headers with suspicious or unexpected values, and ensure compliance with expected formats.
  • Use Secure Proxies and Load Balancers: Employ trusted proxies or load balancers that add reliable headers, like X-Forwarded-For
    • and ensure these headers are not modified further down the chain. Limit trusted sources that can
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    Course Summary
    Manipulating Headers
    Free 1 pt
    Techniques for IP Spoofing in HTTP Headers
    Pro 1 pt
    Remediate
    Pro 1 pt