CVE-2023-26115 is a vulnerability affecting all versions of the word-wrap package, specifically due to an insecure regular expression that leads to Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS). This vulnerability is classified as medium severity with a CVSS score of 5.3, indicating that while it may not pose an immediate critical threat, it still requires attention. The risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions, particularly in applications that rely on the word-wrap functionality.
Understanding the implications of this vulnerability is crucial. Attackers may leverage this flaw to exploit applications that use the affected version of word-wrap, leading to performance degradation or service outages. Organizations should prioritize assessing their deployments of the word-wrap package and implementing remediation strategies.
Given the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact, organizations should address this issue within their priority patch cycle. Immediate action is necessary to prevent any exploitation that could compromise application stability.
In conclusion, CVE-2023-26115 presents a medium-level threat that organizations using the word-wrap package should not overlook. Ensuring the integrity and availability of services should drive timely remediation efforts.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2023-26115 states that all versions of the package word-wrap are vulnerable to Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) due to the usage of an insecure regular expression within the result variable. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-1333.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.3, indicating a medium severity level. The base score reflects its potential impact on availability, with the availability impact rated as low. The attack vector is categorized as network-based, with low complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed.
The affected product is the word-wrap package, provided by the word-wrap_project. The vulnerability was published on June 22, 2023.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2023-26115 stems from the use of an insecure regular expression within the word-wrap package. This results in the potential for ReDoS attacks, where attackers can input specially crafted strings that cause the regex engine to consume excessive CPU resources.
The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to exploit the vulnerability without needing physical access to the system. The attack complexity is low, as no special conditions are required for exploitation. Importantly, no privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is not needed, making it easier for attackers to execute.
The impacts of this vulnerability are primarily on availability, with a low impact rating. Confidentiality and integrity are not affected, meaning sensitive data is not at risk, but service availability is compromised.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2023-26115 is significant, particularly for applications heavily reliant on the word-wrap functionality. The potential for service disruption can lead to degraded user experience and loss of business continuity.
This vulnerability matters to organizations as it exposes them to denial of service conditions, which can affect any service utilizing the word-wrap package. The blast radius can be expansive, especially in web applications where the word-wrap feature is a critical component.
Given the CVSS score of 5.3, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate risks associated with potential exploitation. The urgency for remediation is medium, allowing organizations some time to develop and implement a patch without immediate crisis.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of the word-wrap package prior to 1.2.4 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should upgrade to version 1.2.4 or later to mitigate this issue.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should immediately upgrade their word-wrap package to version 1.2.4 or later. If a patch is unavailable, consider implementing workarounds that limit the exposure of the vulnerable functionality. Additionally, configuration hardening and network controls should be established to mitigate potential risks.
For comprehensive security assessments, organizations should consider engaging in application security assessments to identify vulnerabilities and validate the effectiveness of the applied patches.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of CVE-2023-26115, organizations should monitor logs for unusual CPU usage patterns related to the word-wrap functionality. Behavioral anomalies, such as service slowdowns or unresponsive components, may indicate attempts to exploit the vulnerability.
Network signatures indicative of ReDoS attacks should also be defined to alert security teams of potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2023-26115 highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in the context of regular expressions. Organizations must prioritize ongoing education for developers on secure coding techniques to avoid similar vulnerabilities.
Emerging trends indicate that vulnerabilities in widely used libraries can lead to significant impacts across many applications, underscoring the need for robust dependency management strategies. Security teams must remain vigilant in monitoring their applications for vulnerabilities, especially in third-party packages.
Strategically, organizations should implement a comprehensive penetration testing program to regularly assess their application security posture and adapt to evolving threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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