The NPM package `micromatch` prior to 4.0.8 is vulnerable to Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS). The vulnerability occurs in `micromatch.braces()` in `index.js` because the pattern `.*` will greedily match anything. By passing a malicious payload, the pattern matching will keep backtracking to the input while it doesn't find the closing bracket. As the input size increases, the consumption time will also increase until it causes the application to hang or slow down. There was a merged fix but further testing shows the issue persists. This issue should be mitigated by using a safe pattern that won't start backtracking the regular expression due to greedy matching. This issue was fixed in version 4.0.8.
Risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions due to application slowdowns or crashes, which can affect user experience and system reliability. Given the increasing reliance on NPM packages in production environments, it is crucial for organizations using `micromatch` to understand this vulnerability and take appropriate action.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 5.3, indicating a medium severity. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability to ensure continued application performance and reliability.
As of now, the vulnerability is known to have an exploit available, which increases the urgency for organizations to mitigate the risk. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Vulnerability Details
The NPM package `micromatch` is affected by a Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) vulnerability. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-1333. It was published on May 14, 2024, and is tracked under CVE-2024-4067.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the greedy matching behavior of the regular expression pattern `.*`, which leads to excessive backtracking during input processing. The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity of the attack is low, requiring no special privileges or user interaction.
The impact of this vulnerability mainly affects availability, potentially causing application hangs or slowdowns.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations deploying applications utilizing `micromatch` face real-world risks, especially if the applications process untrusted input. The likelihood of encountering this vulnerability in production environments increases with the application's reliance on user inputs, making it crucial for security teams to assess their exposure.
The potential blast radius for this vulnerability is significant, impacting any application that utilizes this package. Given the medium severity, organizations should schedule remediation in their next patch cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of the `micromatch` package prior to 4.0.8 are affected by this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to version 4.0.8 or later of the `micromatch` package. If an immediate upgrade is not feasible, organizations should consider using a safe pattern that avoids the greedy matching behavior to prevent potential denial of service. Furthermore, organizations should implement configuration hardening and monitoring recommendations to detect any unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.
For further assistance in validating security measures, organizations can engage in penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for signs of exploitation includes observing application performance metrics for unusual delays in processing, especially when handling inputs that could trigger the vulnerability. Additionally, log indicators should be scrutinized for patterns that may suggest attempts at exploiting the ReDoS vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability emphasizes the importance of careful pattern design in regular expressions to prevent vulnerabilities. Security teams should regularly review their use of regex patterns and apply safe coding practices. Organizations should also consider adopting a penetration testing methodology to proactively identify potential weaknesses in their applications.
Furthermore, the integration of security into development processes, such as through a vulnerability management program, can help organizations remain vigilant against similar threats.
Finally, ongoing education regarding security best practices for developers is essential. By fostering a culture of security awareness, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of being impacted by vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-4067.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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