This vulnerability allows Next.js, a React framework, to be exploited due to an inconsistent interpretation of crafted HTTP requests. Prior to version 13.5.1, requests could be treated both as a single request and as two separate requests, resulting in desynchronized responses. This inconsistency led to a response queue poisoning vulnerability, which can be particularly detrimental if the affected route utilizes the rewrites feature.
With a CVSS score of 7.5, this vulnerability is classified as high severity. The potential for exploitation is significant, demanding immediate action from organizations utilizing affected versions of Next.js before 13.5.1, which has since addressed this vulnerability. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and manipulation of application responses, highlighting the urgency for defenders to implement patches.
Given the nature of this vulnerability and its exploitation capability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The exploitation status is marked high, with confirmed exploit availability, indicating that attackers may leverage this weakness to disrupt services or manipulate application behavior.
Organizations using versions prior to 13.5.1 are strongly advised to address this vulnerability in their patch cycle to prevent potential exploitation and safeguard their applications.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is described as follows: Next.js is a React framework that provides building blocks for creating web applications. In versions prior to 13.5.1, an inconsistent interpretation of crafted HTTP requests resulted in requests being treated as both a single request and two separate requests by Next.js. This inconsistency enabled a response queue poisoning vulnerability. For successful exploitation, the affected route must also utilize the rewrites feature. The vulnerability has been resolved in Next.js version 13.5.1 and newer.
The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates a high severity classification, contributing to the overall impact of this vulnerability. The affected product is Next.js by Vercel, and the publication date of this vulnerability is May 14, 2024.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the inconsistent handling of HTTP requests by Next.js prior to version 13.5.1, leading to a scenario where requests could be interpreted in multiple ways. The attack vector is categorized as network-based, with low attack complexity, meaning that an attacker with no special privileges can exploit this issue without requiring user interaction.
Confidentiality impact is assessed as none, while the integrity impact is high, indicating that attackers can manipulate application responses. Availability impact is rated as none, confirming that the main risk lies in response manipulation rather than service disruption.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability is significant. Organizations utilizing Next.js versions prior to 13.5.1 may face unauthorized access, leading to potential data integrity issues and application compromise. The blast radius of this vulnerability could extend to any user interacting with the affected routes, raising concerns about wide-scale exploitation.
Given the CVSS score of 7.5 and the confirmed exploit availability, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The urgency for remediation is critical, as exploitation can lead to serious consequences for the integrity of applications built using Next.js.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Next.js are from 13.4.0 up until, but not including, 13.5.1. All versions prior to the vendor patch are vulnerable to this issue.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Next.js version 13.5.1 or newer to remediate this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not feasible, implementing strict input validation and monitoring for unusual request patterns may help mitigate the risk until a complete update can be performed. Additionally, employing security controls at the network level can assist in identifying and blocking malicious traffic.
For further guidance, organizations can consider engaging in penetration testing services to identify and address security weaknesses effectively.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unusual or unexpected HTTP request patterns. Behavioral anomalies during request processing should be flagged for review. Additionally, network signatures that can detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability should be implemented and refined based on observed data.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in the increasing complexity of web application frameworks and their handling of HTTP requests. As frameworks evolve, security oversight can lead to vulnerabilities that may be exploited in real-world scenarios. This incident underscores the importance of proactive security assessments and continuous monitoring for organizations utilizing modern web technologies.
Organizations should learn from this vulnerability to enhance their security posture. Implementing a robust penetration testing methodology can help identify and rectify potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
To stay ahead of emerging threats, organizations must embrace a culture of security and engage in regular vulnerability management to adapt to the evolving landscape of cyber threats.
By prioritizing security and staying informed about ongoing vulnerabilities, organizations can better defend against potential attacks.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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