X-Backend-Server Header Information Leak

ID

x_backend_server_header_information_leak

Severity

low

Kind

Information Disclosure

CWE

497

Description

The server is leaking information pertaining to backend systems (such as hostnames or IP addresses). Armed with this information an attacker may be able to attack other systems or more directly/efficiently attack those systems.

Rationale

Leaking backend server information through headers exposes internal infrastructure details such as hostnames, IP addresses, or server names that are normally hidden behind load balancers or reverse proxies. Attackers use this information to map the internal network topology, identify specific backend systems to target, bypass security controls by directly attacking exposed servers, or exploit trust relationships between internal systems that assume requests from the load balancer are already authenticated.

Remediation

Ensure that your web server, application server, load balancer, etc. is configured to suppress X-Backend-Server headers.