CVE-2023-22467 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Luxon library, which is utilized for handling dates and times in JavaScript applications. The vulnerability exists across multiple branches of Luxon: the 1.x branch prior to version 1.38.1, the 2.x branch prior to 2.5.2, and the 3.x branch on version 3.2.1. Specifically, the method `DateTime.fromRFC2822()` exhibits quadratic (N^2) complexity when processing certain inputs. This flaw can lead to significant performance degradation, particularly when the input exceeds 10,000 characters.
The risk to organizations includes potential denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, particularly for applications that allow untrusted data to be processed through this method. Users who provide large or crafted inputs may exploit this vulnerability, leading to application slowdowns or downtime. This vulnerability has also been noted in the Moment.js library under CVE-2022-31129, highlighting a broader issue within similar date handling libraries.
Patches addressing these vulnerabilities are available in Luxon versions 1.38.1, 2.5.2, and 3.2.1. As an interim measure, it is recommended that organizations restrict the length of input data provided to the `DateTime.fromRFC2822()` method to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Given the high CVSS score of 7.5, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to avoid potential exploitation.
The urgency for defenders is underscored by the availability of patches and the straightforward nature of the workaround. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in significant operational impacts.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability states that it allows for a quadratic complexity attack through the Luxon library. The CVSS score assigned is 7.5, reflecting its high severity due to the potential for denial-of-service attacks. The affected products include all versions of Luxon prior to the mentioned patch versions.
Published on January 4, 2023, this vulnerability is classified under CWE-1333 for inefficient regular expressions. Organizations relying on outdated versions of Luxon should ensure they upgrade to the patched versions to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the implementation of the `DateTime.fromRFC2822()` method, which has a quadratic time complexity when processing certain inputs. This means that as the size of the input grows, the time taken to parse it increases exponentially, leading to performance degradation.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, as attackers can send crafted requests to applications utilizing the Luxon library. The complexity of the attack is classified as low, requiring no special privileges or user interaction to exploit the vulnerability.
In terms of impacts, the confidentiality and integrity of the system are unaffected, but the availability can be compromised, leading to service disruptions. Organizations that process untrusted input data are particularly at risk.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of the Luxon library in applications poses significant risk, especially for those that handle large text inputs from users. The potential for exploitation through denial-of-service attacks can lead to a wide blast radius, impacting both the application's performance and the user experience.
Given the CVSS score of 7.5, organizations must assess their patching strategies to ensure they address this vulnerability in their priority cycle. The risk exposure from unpatched versions can lead to significant outages and service disruptions, making prompt action critical.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of the Luxon library are those in the 1.x branch prior to 1.38.1, 2.x branch prior to 2.5.2, and the 3.x branch on version 3.2.1. Organizations using these versions should upgrade to the fixed versions to mitigate risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches to the Luxon library, specifically updating to versions 1.38.1, 2.5.2, or 3.2.1. If immediate patching is not feasible, implementing input length limits on the `DateTime.fromRFC2822()` method can serve as a temporary workaround. Additionally, reviewing the application’s dependency management processes can help identify outdated libraries and ensure timely updates.
For more detailed guidance on penetration testing and vulnerability management, organizations may refer to our vulnerability management program design resources.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for anomalies related to input handling within applications that use the Luxon library. Specifically, watch for unusual patterns in input sizes being processed by the `DateTime.fromRFC2822()` method, as well as any performance degradation in response times that may indicate exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-22467 highlights ongoing risks associated with libraries that handle user input. The increasing complexity of inputs processed by applications emphasizes the need for robust validation and sanitization mechanisms. Security teams should take this opportunity to review their application architectures for potential weaknesses in dependency management.
For further insights into managing application security risks, organizations can explore resources on penetration testing methodology and vulnerability management best practices to enhance their security posture.
Additionally, it is vital to engage in API penetration testing to ensure that application interfaces are secure against similar vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)