There exists a security vulnerability in Jetty's DosFilter which can be exploited by unauthorized users to cause remote denial-of-service (DoS) attack on the server using DosFilter. By repeatedly sending crafted requests, attackers can trigger OutofMemory errors and exhaust the server's memory finally.
This vulnerability is classified as medium severity with a CVSS score of 5.3, indicating a moderate risk to affected systems. Organizations using Jetty, Bootstrap OS, or Active IQ Unified Manager should prioritize actions to address this vulnerability.
Risk to organizations includes potential disruption of services and degradation of server performance due to memory exhaustion. Organizations should address in priority patch cycle.
Currently, there are no known exploits or public proof of concept (PoC) available for this vulnerability, which can provide some level of assurance, but vigilance is still required as threats can evolve.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability in question relates to the Jetty web server's DosFilter component, which is responsible for handling denial-of-service attacks. The CVSS score of 5.3 reflects a low attack complexity and no privileges required to exploit it, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on affected software.
The affected products include Jetty, Bootstrap OS, and Active IQ Unified Manager from Eclipse and NetApp. Organizations using these products should be aware of their exposure and take necessary steps to apply any patches released by vendors.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from how Jetty's DosFilter processes requests. Attackers can exploit this by sending a large number of specially crafted requests, leading to OutOfMemory errors that can crash the server or significantly degrade its performance.
The attack vector is network-based, requiring no user interaction, and can be executed with minimal complexity, posing a significant risk to organizations that utilize affected products. The availability impact is rated as low, which indicates that while the server may become unresponsive, it is not permanently compromised.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The potential impact of this vulnerability is significant. Organizations that depend on Jetty for their web services could experience service interruptions, leading to financial losses and reputational damage. The medium severity level indicates that while immediate action may not be critical, organizations should still address it promptly to avoid any exploitation.
Given the current exploitability status of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor for any updates from vendors and prepare to apply patches as they become available. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining an up-to-date security posture and the need for regular vulnerability assessments.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The versions of Jetty affected by this vulnerability include 9.0.0 through 9.4.54, 10.0.0 through 10.0.18, 11.0.0 through 11.0.18, and 12.0.0 through 12.0.3. Organizations should ensure that their environments are updated to the latest versions to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations are advised to monitor their systems for updates regarding this vulnerability and apply patches as soon as they are released. For those unable to immediately upgrade, implementing network controls and rate limiting on requests to the server can help mitigate the potential impact of the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations may benefit from conducting a thorough security assessment to ensure that all software components are secure.
For more information on continuous security testing, organizations can refer to the continuous penetration testing services offered by AppSecure.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for unusual request patterns that may indicate an attack. Additionally, tracking memory usage metrics on servers can help identify when thresholds are being approached, which may signal an ongoing denial-of-service attempt.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The vulnerability in Jetty highlights the importance of proactive security measures and the need for organizations to remain vigilant against potential threats. As denial-of-service attacks continue to evolve, it is crucial for teams to prioritize security best practices and keep software updated.
For organizations looking to enhance their security posture, implementing a comprehensive application security assessment can be beneficial.
Furthermore, ongoing education and awareness for development and operations teams about security vulnerabilities are essential for maintaining a secure environment.
Organizations should also consider leveraging services such as red teaming to test their defenses against potential denial-of-service attacks.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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