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CVE-2024-22019: High Vulnerability in Node.js HTTP Servers

A high-severity vulnerability in Node.js HTTP servers allows for denial of service through specially crafted HTTP requests. Immediate patching is crucial to mitigate resource exhaustion risks.

HIGHCVSS 7.5 · Published February 20, 2024

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CVE-2024-22019 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Node.js HTTP servers that could lead to denial of service (DoS). This vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit the lack of limitations on chunk extension bytes in HTTP requests, enabling them to send specially crafted requests that can exhaust server resources such as CPU and network bandwidth. As a result, organizations using affected versions of Node.js and related services must prioritize patching to mitigate risks.

The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates a high level of severity, which necessitates immediate attention from security teams. The potential impact includes resource exhaustion, which can bypass standard safeguards like timeouts and body size limits. Organizations leveraging Node.js for their applications should assess their exposure to this vulnerability and act accordingly.

As of now, there are no known exploits publicly available for this vulnerability, which suggests that while the risk is high, the immediate threat level may still be manageable. However, this could change, and organizations are encouraged to stay vigilant.

Given the potential for significant impact, organizations should prioritize patching immediately. This vulnerability is not only a technical flaw but also a potential gateway for more severe attacks if left unaddressed.

Vulnerability Details

The CVE-2024-22019 vulnerability arises from improper handling of chunked HTTP requests in Node.js servers. This flaw allows an attacker to send an unbounded number of bytes from a single connection, leading to resource exhaustion. The official CVE description states that the vulnerability can exploit limitations on chunk extension bytes, resulting in a denial of service.

The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.5, classified as high severity. The attack vector is through the network with low complexity, requiring no privileges or user interaction. The impact on availability is high, while confidentiality and integrity are not affected.

Affected products include Node.js versions from 18.0.0 to below 18.19.1, including 20.0.0 to below 20.11.1, and 21.0.0 to below 21.6.2. Additionally, it impacts the NetApp Astra Control Center.

The vulnerability was published on February 20, 2024, and is categorized under CWE-404.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to limit chunk extension bytes in HTTP requests, leading to resource exhaustion. Attackers can initiate a denial of service by sending crafted requests that exploit this flaw.

The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to exploit the vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system. The attack complexity is low, meaning that even attackers with minimal skills can potentially exploit this flaw.

No special privileges are required for exploitation, and user interaction is not necessary. The vulnerability has a high impact on availability, meaning that it can lead to significant service disruptions.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Risk to organizations includes potential downtime and resource exhaustion, which can severely disrupt services. The lack of limitations on chunk extension bytes means that an attacker can bypass standard safeguards like timeouts and body size limits, leading to significant operational impacts.

With a CVSS score of 7.5, this vulnerability falls into a high urgency category, prompting organizations to address it in their priority patch cycle. Given the potential for exploitation, the blast radius for this vulnerability could affect not only single instances but also the overall service, making it a critical focus for security teams.

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The following versions are affected by CVE-2024-22019:

Node.js versions 18.0.0 to below 18.19.1, 20.0.0 to below 20.11.1, and 21.0.0 to below 21.6.2, along with the NetApp Astra Control Center.

Mitigation & Remediation

To mitigate the risks posed by this vulnerability, organizations should apply available patches for Node.js and the Astra Control Center immediately. Upgrading to the latest stable versions is essential.

In cases where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations may implement workarounds such as rate limiting on HTTP connections and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns. Configuration hardening should also be considered to limit exposure to such attacks.

For organizations looking for assistance, services like penetration testing can help identify vulnerabilities and validate patches.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor server logs for indicators of exploitation attempts, including an unusually high number of HTTP requests with chunked encoding. Behavioral anomalies such as sudden spikes in resource usage should also be investigated.

Network signatures that capture abnormal patterns in chunked requests can help in early detection of potential attacks.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of CVE-2024-22019 lies in its demonstration of how protocol weaknesses can lead to significant security risks. Organizations must learn from this vulnerability and ensure that robust safeguards are implemented in their server configurations.

This incident highlights the need for ongoing security assessments and the importance of a proactive security posture. Regularly updating and reviewing configurations can help mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.

For more best practices on securing your applications, consider reviewing our resources on security testing.

Additionally, our insights on penetration testing methodology can enhance your understanding of how to identify and manage security weaknesses effectively.

Finally, organizations should familiarize themselves with our vulnerability management program to maintain a robust security posture.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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