CVE-2022-42003 is a high-severity vulnerability in FasterXML jackson-databind, affecting versions prior to 2.13.4.1 and 2.12.17.1. This vulnerability allows for resource exhaustion due to a lack of checks in primitive value deserializers, which can lead to deep wrapper array nesting when the UNWRAP_SINGLE_VALUE_ARRAYS feature is enabled. This issue has been classified with a CVSS score of 7.5, indicating a high risk to organizations.
The vulnerability was disclosed on October 2, 2022, and impacts multiple products, including jackson-databind, quarkus, and debian_linux. Organizations utilizing these products should be aware of the potential for service disruption as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to exhaust server resources.
Currently, there are no known public exploits for this vulnerability, but the possibility of exploitation exists, particularly in environments where vulnerable versions are deployed. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the associated risks.
Given the high severity and potential impact of CVE-2022-42003, organizations are urged to evaluate their exposure and take necessary action to update affected systems as part of their security maintenance practices.
Vulnerability Details
In FasterXML jackson-databind before versions 2.13.4.1 and 2.12.17.1, resource exhaustion can occur because of a lack of a check in primitive value deserializers to avoid deep wrapper array nesting when the UNWRAP_SINGLE_VALUE_ARRAYS feature is enabled.
The CVSS 3.1 score for this vulnerability is 7.5, classified as high severity. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, meaning that attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring significant resources. Importantly, no user interaction is needed for the attack to succeed, and it has a high impact on availability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the design of the primitive value deserializers within the jackson-databind library. The absence of checks to limit deep nesting can lead to excessive memory consumption and ultimately resource exhaustion on the server.
The attack vector is through network interactions, allowing attackers to send crafted data to the server that triggers the vulnerability. The complexity of the attack is low, indicating that it can be executed with minimal effort. No privileges are required, and no user interaction is necessary, which enhances the vulnerability's exploitability.
In terms of impacts, the confidentiality and integrity of data are unaffected, but the availability is significantly compromised due to potential service disruptions.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential downtime and service disruption due to resource exhaustion. This can lead to loss of availability of applications relying on the jackson-databind library, affecting user experience and potentially leading to financial losses.
With a CVSS score of 7.5, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The lack of a known public exploit currently does not diminish the urgency to remediate, as the nature of the vulnerability makes it a viable target for attackers.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects the following versions of the products:
1. jackson-databind: All versions prior to 2.13.4.1 and 2.12.17.1 2. quarkus: All versions prior to 2.13.3 3. debian_linux: Versions 10.0 and 11.0 4. oncommand_workflow_automation: All versions
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The following versions should be upgraded to remediate the vulnerability:
1. Upgrade jackson-databind to version 2.13.4.1 or later, or 2.12.17.1 or later. 2. Upgrade quarkus to version 2.13.3 or later. 3. For debian_linux, ensure systems are updated to the latest available patches.
If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should implement configuration hardening and monitoring to detect unusual resource usage patterns. Regularly review and audit applications for potential exposure to similar vulnerabilities.
Penetration testing can also help validate the effectiveness of the remediation efforts.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor the following indicators to detect potential exploitation of CVE-2022-42003:
1. Log indicators of excessive memory consumption in applications using jackson-databind. 2. Monitor for unusual patterns in network traffic that may indicate attempts to exploit the vulnerability. 3. Track system performance metrics for signs of resource exhaustion.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations leveraging the affected components in production environments. The ease of exploitation, combined with its potential for causing service outages, underscores the need for robust vulnerability management and proactive security measures.
Security teams should integrate lessons learned from vulnerabilities like CVE-2022-42003 into their security training and awareness programs, ensuring that developers are aware of potential security pitfalls in code. Regular security assessments, such as penetration testing methodology, should be a part of the overall security strategy.
By prioritizing vulnerability management and adopting a proactive security posture, organizations can minimize the risk of exploitation and ensure the availability of their critical services.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)