The vulnerability was published on November 26, 2022, and has since been modified. Organizations must ensure they are using versions of the software that include the necessary fixes.
This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to hang a Node process in Express applications, emphasizing the need for timely remediation.
The following sections will provide detailed information about the vulnerability, technical analysis, risk assessment, exploitation status, affected versions, and recommended remediation strategies.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2022-24999 is a vulnerability in the qs library, which is used in the Express framework for Node.js applications. The official CVE description states that the vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Node process hang by exploiting the __proto__ key. This can be executed through a crafted URL query string, such as a[__proto__]=b&a[__proto__]&a[length]=100000000.
The CVSS score of 7.5 classifies this vulnerability as high severity. The attack vector is network-based, with a low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction required. The impact on availability is high, while confidentiality and integrity impacts are assessed as none.
The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the qs library as well as Express versions prior to 4.17.3. The fix has been backported to qs versions 6.9.7 and above, thus ensuring that applications using the patched versions are not vulnerable.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the way that the qs library handles prototype poisoning through query strings. The presence of the __proto__ key in JavaScript allows attackers to manipulate object properties, which can lead to unexpected behavior in applications.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely without needing physical access to the system. The attack complexity is classified as low, as it simply requires crafting a specific query string to exploit the vulnerability.
No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and no user interaction is necessary, which further increases the risk associated with this issue. The availability impact is high, as successful exploitation can cause the Node process to hang, leading to service downtime.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using affected versions of the qs library or Express framework are at significant risk. The blast radius potential is considerable, as this vulnerability can impact any application using the affected libraries, leading to widespread service disruption.
The urgency for remediation is high, given the CVSS score and the potential for exploitation. Organizations should take immediate action to patch their systems and ensure they are using the latest versions of the libraries.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include the following:
qs versions before 6.10.3, including 6.4.0, 6.6.0, and specific ranges such as 6.3.0 to 6.3.3, 6.5.0 to 6.5.3, 6.7.0 to 6.7.3, and 6.8.0 to 6.8.3.
Express versions prior to 4.17.3 are also affected. Organizations must ensure they are using patched versions to mitigate risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should upgrade to the latest versions of the qs library and Express framework to mitigate this vulnerability. The fixed version for qs is 6.10.3 or later, and for Express, it is 4.17.3 or later.
If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing security controls such as input validation and sanitization to reduce the attack surface. Additionally, monitoring logs for unusual query patterns may help identify potential exploitation attempts.
Organizations may also want to review their application security testing practices to ensure they are effective against such vulnerabilities in the future.
For further information about security testing, organizations can refer to penetration testing services.
Detection Guidance
To identify potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for indicators such as unusually long query strings or repeated requests containing the __proto__ key.
Behavioral anomalies, such as application hangs or crashes, may also indicate exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2022-24999 highlights the importance of robust input handling in web applications. Security teams should review their input validation mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the risks associated with prototype pollution in JavaScript applications. Organizations should prioritize securing their applications against this class of vulnerabilities.
For comprehensive guidance on application security, organizations can explore our web application penetration testing best practices.
Furthermore, understanding the long-term significance of vulnerabilities like CVE-2022-24999 can help organizations develop better security postures.
Known Exploitation Timeline
As of the current date, this vulnerability has not been added to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any updates regarding active exploitation.
EPSS Risk Context
The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) score for CVE-2022-24999 is 0.0114, placing it in the 0.78 percentile. This indicates a low probability of exploitation in the wild at this time.
Conclusion
CVE-2022-24999 underscores the necessity for organizations to maintain up-to-date libraries and frameworks. By addressing this vulnerability promptly, organizations can protect their applications from potential disruptions and maintain service availability.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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