This vulnerability allows for an increase in disk resource utilization due to undisclosed requests when NGINX Instance Manager is in use. Organizations should note that software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.5, classifying it as medium severity. This indicates a significant risk to affected systems, as performance can be severely impacted if left unaddressed.
The vulnerability affects NGINX Instance Manager in all versions of 1.x and in versions 2.x before 2.3.1. Given its nature, it is vital for organizations utilizing these versions to address this vulnerability promptly. The urgency is underscored by the potential for high availability impact, meaning operational disruptions can occur if the system is exploited.
Currently, there are no known exploits, and the vulnerability is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the absence of public exploits does not eliminate the risk, as attackers may still discover ways to leverage this vulnerability.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Regular monitoring and assessments should be integrated to ensure that vulnerabilities are remediated promptly.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability states: 'In versions 2.x before 2.3.1 and all versions of 1.x, when NGINX Instance Manager is in use, undisclosed requests can cause an increase in disk resource utilization.' This aligns with the CVE classification of CWE-400, which pertains to resource exhaustion.
The CVSS score of 6.5 indicates that the exploitability is medium. The attack vector is network-based, meaning external entities can potentially exploit it without needing local access. The attack complexity is low, and the required privileges are also low, allowing for a wider range of potential attackers.
The impact on availability is categorized as high, which is critical for organizations that rely on NGINX Instance Manager for their operations.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the handling of undisclosed requests when the NGINX Instance Manager is active. This oversight can lead to excessive disk resource consumption, which may hinder system performance and lead to downtime.
As the attack vector is network-based, this vulnerability can be exploited remotely by attackers. No user interaction is required, making it particularly dangerous. The low complexity allows for straightforward exploitation by those with minimal technical skills.
The confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated as none, indicating that sensitive information is not at risk. However, the availability impact is rated as high, signifying that the service may become increasingly slow or unavailable due to resource exhaustion.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes significant performance degradation and potential downtime of critical services relying on NGINX Instance Manager. As many organizations utilize this service for their web hosting and application delivery, the implications of this vulnerability could extend beyond individual systems to affect overall business operations.
Given the CVSS score of 6.5, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. While it is not actively exploited, the medium severity still warrants attention to mitigate risk.
The EPSS score of 0.00654 indicates a low probability of exploitation in the wild. Despite this, organizations should not become complacent, as the potential impacts could be severe.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects NGINX Instance Manager in all versions of 1.x and in versions 2.x prior to 2.3.1. Organizations should ensure they are running the latest patched version to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations must update to NGINX Instance Manager version 2.3.1 or later. If immediate patching is not feasible, organizations should implement configuration hardening and network controls to limit exposure.
For effective validation of remediation, organizations should consider penetration testing to ensure that all risks have been addressed.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual disk utilization patterns and any anomalous requests to the NGINX Instance Manager. Behavioral anomalies related to resource consumption should be investigated promptly.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in the potential for resource exhaustion attacks against services utilizing NGINX Instance Manager. Security teams should be aware of resource management practices and the importance of regular audits to identify weaknesses.
This incident highlights a critical lesson for organizations: maintaining current patches is essential for preventing resource exhaustion vulnerabilities. Regular assessments of security configurations can aid in early detection of potential issues.
For further reading on vulnerability management best practices, consider reviewing the vulnerability management program design.
Additionally, organizations should stay informed about emerging trends in vulnerabilities by following resources such as the 2025 vulnerability exposure severity trends report.
Finally, understanding how to assess risk during penetration testing can further strengthen an organization's security posture. For insights on effective strategies, refer to the penetration testing methodology.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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