# HTTP Connection Request Smuggling

<details>

<summary><strong>Support HackTricks and get benefits!</strong></summary>

Do you work in a **cybersecurity company**? Do you want to see your **company advertised in HackTricks**? or do you want to have access the **latest version of the PEASS or download HackTricks in PDF**? Check the [**SUBSCRIPTION PLANS**](https://github.com/sponsors/carlospolop)!

Discover [**The PEASS Family**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family), our collection of exclusive [**NFTs**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family)

Get the [**official PEASS & HackTricks swag**](https://peass.creator-spring.com)

**Join the** [**💬**](https://emojipedia.org/speech-balloon/) [**Discord group**](https://discord.gg/hRep4RUj7f) or the [**telegram group**](https://t.me/peass) or **follow** me on **Twitter** [**🐦**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks/tree/7af18b62b3bdc423e11444677a6a73d4043511e9/\[https:/emojipedia.org/bird/README.md)[**@carlospolopm**](https://twitter.com/carlospolopm)**.**

**Share your hacking tricks submitting PRs to the** [**hacktricks github repo**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks)**.**

</details>

## Connection state attacks <a href="#state" id="state"></a>

### **First-request validation**

Reverse proxies often use the **Host header** to identify **which back-end server to route** each request to, and have a whitelist of hosts that people are **allowed to access.**

However, some proxies only apply this **whitelist to the first request sent** over a given connection. This means attackers can gain **access to internal** websites by issuing a **request to an allowed** destination, **followed** by one for the **internal site** down the same connection:

```
GET / HTTP/1.1
Host: redacted

GET / HTTP/1.1
Host: intranet.redacted
```

Mercifully, this **mistake is quite rare**.

### **First-request routing**

First-request routing occurs when the front-end uses the **first request's Host header to decide** which back-end to route the request to, and then **routes all subsequent requests** from the same client connection down the **same back-end connection**.

```
GET / HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com

POST /pwreset HTTP/1.1
Host: psres.net
```

This could be chained with [**Host header attacks**](https://portswigger.net/web-security/host-header) like password reset poisoning, [**web cache poisoning**](https://portswigger.net/web-security/web-cache-poisoning), and gaining access to other virtual hosts.

{% hint style="info" %}
You can scan for these two flaws using the 'connection-state probe' option in HTTP Request Smuggler.
{% endhint %}

<details>

<summary><strong>Support HackTricks and get benefits!</strong></summary>

Do you work in a **cybersecurity company**? Do you want to see your **company advertised in HackTricks**? or do you want to have access the **latest version of the PEASS or download HackTricks in PDF**? Check the [**SUBSCRIPTION PLANS**](https://github.com/sponsors/carlospolop)!

Discover [**The PEASS Family**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family), our collection of exclusive [**NFTs**](https://opensea.io/collection/the-peass-family)

Get the [**official PEASS & HackTricks swag**](https://peass.creator-spring.com)

**Join the** [**💬**](https://emojipedia.org/speech-balloon/) [**Discord group**](https://discord.gg/hRep4RUj7f) or the [**telegram group**](https://t.me/peass) or **follow** me on **Twitter** [**🐦**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks/tree/7af18b62b3bdc423e11444677a6a73d4043511e9/\[https:/emojipedia.org/bird/README.md)[**@carlospolopm**](https://twitter.com/carlospolopm)**.**

**Share your hacking tricks submitting PRs to the** [**hacktricks github repo**](https://github.com/carlospolop/hacktricks)**.**

</details>