CVE-2023-26116 describes a vulnerability in the AngularJS package, specifically affecting versions from 1.2.21 to 1.8.3. This vulnerability allows for a Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) through the insecure usage of the angular.copy() utility function. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending large and carefully crafted inputs that could lead to catastrophic backtracking, thereby causing significant performance degradation or complete service denial.
With a CVSS score of 5.3, this vulnerability is classified as medium severity, indicating a moderate risk level to affected systems. The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity of the attack is low, meaning that it can be executed without requiring significant effort from the attacker. Furthermore, this vulnerability does not require elevated privileges or user interaction, making it particularly concerning.
Organizations utilizing AngularJS should immediately assess their environments for affected versions and prioritize patching. The potential for denial of service could lead to significant operational disruptions, emphasizing the urgency of remediation efforts.
Currently, there are no known public exploits or proofs of concept available for this vulnerability, but the risk remains palpable given the conditions under which it can be exploited. The time to act is now.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability arises from the angular.copy() utility function in the AngularJS framework. The improper use of regular expressions allows attackers to send inputs that can cause excessive backtracking, leading to a denial of service. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-1333.
The CVSS version 3.1 vector string for this vulnerability is: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L. The attack vector is classified as NETWORK, which means that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely over the network. The impact on availability is rated as LOW, indicating that while service may be disrupted, it is not critical.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the insecure use of regular expressions in the angular.copy() function. When large inputs are processed, the regex can lead to catastrophic backtracking, which significantly degrades performance and can result in a denial of service.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is via the network, allowing an attacker to exploit it remotely without needing to be on the same local network. The complexity of the attack is low, which means that it does not require advanced skills or significant resources to perform. No privileges are required to execute the attack, and user interaction is not necessary.
The impact on confidentiality and integrity is assessed as NONE, while the availability impact is rated as LOW. This indicates that while the vulnerability does not compromise sensitive data, it can hinder service availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions and degraded performance caused by the denial of service. Given the nature of web applications that utilize AngularJS, the blast radius can be substantial, affecting all users accessing the application.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The urgency is underscored by the medium CVSS score, which indicates a moderate risk level that should not be ignored. Regular monitoring of application performance and traffic patterns is advisable to detect any anomalies associated with this vulnerability.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of the AngularJS package range from 1.2.21 to 1.8.3. Organizations should ensure that they are not running these vulnerable versions to mitigate the associated risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to a patched version of AngularJS. If an immediate upgrade is not possible, consider implementing workarounds such as input validation or limiting the size of inputs to the angular.copy() function. Additionally, configuring security controls on the network can help mitigate the risk of exploitation.
For further guidance on securing your applications, organizations may benefit from engaging in penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual patterns or spikes in resource usage that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Behavioral anomalies associated with the angular.copy() function should also be tracked, as they may serve as early indicators of potential exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2023-26116 highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in the use of regular expressions. Developers should be educated on the potential pitfalls associated with regex, especially in functions that handle user input.
This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even widely used libraries can harbor critical security flaws. Organizations should regularly review and update their dependencies to ensure they are not inadvertently exposing themselves to known vulnerabilities.
For more information on securing applications, organizations can refer to best practices outlined in our penetration testing methodology guide, which provides insights into identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities effectively.
Additionally, organizations can benefit from reviewing their vulnerability management program to ensure ongoing security and resilience against 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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