CVE-2024-30251 is a high-severity vulnerability found in the aiohttp library, an asynchronous HTTP client/server framework for asyncio and Python. This vulnerability allows an attacker to send a specially crafted POST request with multipart/form-data. When the aiohttp server processes this request, it enters an infinite loop, causing the server to become unresponsive and unable to handle further requests. An attacker can effectively stop the application from serving requests after sending just one malicious request. This vulnerability was addressed in version 3.9.4, and users are strongly advised to upgrade to this version. For those unable to upgrade, a manual patch is available, and detailed instructions can be found in the linked GitHub Security Advisory.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.5, indicating a high severity level. The attack vector is classified as NETWORK, with a low attack complexity, requiring no privileges and no user interaction. The primary impact is on the availability of the affected service, as it can lead to a denial of service (DoS). Organizations relying on aiohttp should prioritize updating their installations to mitigate this risk.
Risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions, which could lead to significant downtime and loss of availability. Given the nature of this vulnerability, it is critical for organizations to address it in their patch management cycle immediately. Failure to do so could result in an attacker exploiting this vulnerability to halt services, impacting both user experience and business operations.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Regular reviews of dependency versions and timely application of security updates are essential to maintaining a secure application environment.
Vulnerability Details
The official CVE description states that aiohttp is an asynchronous HTTP client/server framework for asyncio and Python. In affected versions, an attacker can send a specially crafted POST (multipart/form-data) request. When the aiohttp server processes it, the server will enter an infinite loop and be unable to process any further requests. This issue has been addressed in version 3.9.4. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade may manually apply a patch to their systems. Please see the linked GHSA for instructions.
The vulnerability is classified as CWE-835: Infinite Loop. The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates high severity, with the following metrics: attack vector (NETWORK), attack complexity (LOW), privileges required (NONE), user interaction (NONE), scope (UNCHANGED), confidentiality impact (NONE), integrity impact (NONE), and availability impact (HIGH).
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the aiohttp server's handling of multipart/form-data POST requests. When a specially crafted request is received, the server enters an infinite loop during the processing phase, which prevents it from responding to further incoming requests. This condition leads to denial of service, as legitimate requests cannot be processed, effectively halting the application.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without needing physical access to the server. The complexity of the attack is low, indicating that an attacker does not require advanced skills or knowledge to successfully exploit the vulnerability. No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is not necessary.
In terms of impact, the availability of the application is significantly compromised, as the server becomes unresponsive after processing the malicious request. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity, making this a purely availability-focused vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk of CVE-2024-30251 is significant, especially for organizations using aiohttp in production environments. The potential for an attacker to disrupt services raises serious concerns about business continuity and customer satisfaction. With high availability being a critical requirement for many applications, this vulnerability poses a direct threat to operational effectiveness.
The blast radius for this vulnerability could extend to any service relying on aiohttp, impacting users across various applications. Given the ease with which an attacker can exploit this vulnerability, organizations must act swiftly to mitigate its effects. The urgency for remediation is underscored by the potential for service outages that can result from an exploit.
The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates that organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The potential for denial of service attacks should not be underestimated, and organizations must take proactive measures to ensure they are not vulnerable to exploitation.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of aiohttp are all versions prior to 3.9.4. Organizations using aiohttp should ensure they are running this version or later to protect against this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation attempts, such as unusual POST requests or patterns that suggest an attacker is attempting to send malformed data. Behavioral anomalies in application performance should also be investigated to identify potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2024-30251 highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date dependencies in software development. This incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities that can arise from improper handling of user input, especially in widely used libraries like aiohttp.
Organizations must recognize the patterns of vulnerabilities that arise from improper input validation and design their applications with robust defensive mechanisms. This incident underscores the necessity for security testing, such as penetration testing, to proactively identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Ultimately, organizations must adopt a proactive approach to security by integrating vulnerability management into their development lifecycle. Regular assessments and adherence to security best practices are crucial in mitigating risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-30251.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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