CVE-2021-23362 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting the npmjs package hosted-git-info prior to version 3.0.8. This vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit the regular expression shortcutMatch in the fromUrl function located in index.js, which results in a Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS). The regular expression in question exhibits polynomial worst-case time complexity, making it susceptible to resource exhaustion under certain conditions.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.3, indicating a medium level of risk. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely, requiring no authentication or user interaction, which enhances the risk to organizations deploying affected versions.
Organizations are urged to prioritize patching, as unmitigated vulnerabilities can lead to service disruptions and impact availability. It is crucial to understand the potential impact and address this vulnerability in a timely manner.
The vulnerability was first published on March 23, 2021, and its status has been modified following updates and disclosures. Organizations using hosted-git-info should confirm they are not using vulnerable versions.
To ensure that risks are managed effectively, organizations should remain vigilant and incorporate this vulnerability into their regular security assessments.
Vulnerability Details
The package hosted-git-info before version 3.0.8 is vulnerable to a Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) via the regular expression shortcutMatch in the fromUrl function located in index.js. This vulnerability poses a risk due to the polynomial worst-case time complexity of the affected regular expression.
The CVSS score assigned to this vulnerability is 5.3, which classifies it as medium severity. The vulnerability affects the following products:
Vendor | Product |
|---|---|
npmjs | hosted-git-info |
Siemens | sinec_infrastructure_network_services |
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-1333, which indicates a flaw related to the use of regular expressions.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the implementation of the regular expression used in the fromUrl function. The design of the regular expression leads to a potential denial of service when it encounters specially crafted input that causes excessive backtracking.
The attack vector is network-based, allowing an attacker to exploit this vulnerability remotely without any authentication requirements. The attack complexity is classified as low, indicating that this vulnerability can be easily exploited by attackers with basic technical skills. There is no user interaction required for this vulnerability to be exploited.
In terms of impact, the vulnerability affects availability with a low impact score. There are no confidentiality or integrity impacts associated with this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions caused by Denial of Service attacks leveraging this vulnerability. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it poses a significant risk to systems that rely heavily on the affected packages, particularly in production environments.
The blast radius for this vulnerability can be considerable, especially for organizations that use hosted-git-info in multiple applications or services. The urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability is categorized as high, given its medium CVSS score and the potential for exploitation.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. Ensuring that systems are updated to the latest versions is essential to maintaining security.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of hosted-git-info include all versions prior to 3.0.8. Additionally, the sinec_infrastructure_network_services package versions before 1.0.1.1 are also vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to hosted-git-info version 3.0.8 or later. If upgrading is not immediately possible, consider implementing network controls to limit exposure to untrusted inputs that could trigger the vulnerability.
Organizations should also engage in regular security assessments and consider conducting penetration testing to identify potential vulnerabilities in their systems.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for unusual patterns in application performance can be an indicator of exploitation attempts. Organizations should log and analyze traffic patterns to identify any anomalies that could indicate attempts to leverage the vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-23362 highlights the ongoing challenges associated with regular expression vulnerabilities in software development. Organizations should adopt best practices in coding to avoid similar vulnerabilities in the future.
This case represents a trend in which developers may overlook the implications of complex regular expressions. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews and implement robust testing practices.
In conclusion, organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in their security posture, ensuring they are prepared to address vulnerabilities such as this. Engaging in vulnerability management programs can help organizations identify and mitigate risks before they are exploited.
For further reading on related security topics, organizations can review our resources on penetration testing methodologies and vulnerability management program design to enhance their security frameworks.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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