An issue was discovered in Kwik before 0.10.1. A hash collision vulnerability (in the hash table used to manage connections) allows remote attackers to cause a considerable CPU load on the server (a Hash DoS attack) by initiating connections with colliding Source Connection IDs (SCIDs).
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as medium, with a CVSS score of 5.3. This score indicates a potential impact on the availability of the affected system, making it crucial for organizations to address this vulnerability promptly.
Risk to organizations includes service disruptions caused by excessive CPU load, which could lead to denial of service. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to initiate multiple connections with colliding SCIDs, overwhelming the server.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Although the exploit status is currently deferred, the potential for service impact necessitates that security teams remain vigilant.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability described in CVE-2025-23020 pertains to a hash collision in the Kwik software prior to version 0.10.1. This weakness falls under the category of CWE-407, which is indicative of a hash collision issue. The CVSS score of 5.3 signifies a medium severity level, highlighting the importance of addressing this vulnerability.
The vulnerability was published on February 20, 2025. Organizations using affected versions should take immediate action to mitigate potential risks.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the hash collision in the hash table that manages connections. This flaw allows attackers to exploit the hash function's properties, causing significant performance degradation.
The attack vector is categorized as network-based, meaning that an attacker can initiate connections from a remote location. The complexity of the attack is low, requiring no privileges or user interaction to execute.
Regarding impact, the confidentiality and integrity of the system are not affected, but availability is compromised due to potential CPU overload from colliding SCIDs.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability involves the potential for significant service disruption. The ability for attackers to leverage this vulnerability in a networked environment increases the blast radius, impacting not only the targeted server but potentially affecting other connected services.
Organizations should assess the urgency of addressing this vulnerability based on the CVSS score and the current lack of known exploitation. Although it is classified as medium severity, the risk of denial of service makes it a priority for remediation.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of Kwik prior to 0.10.1 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations using earlier versions should update to the latest release to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should implement the following measures to mitigate the risk of exploitation:
1. Update Kwik to version 0.10.1 or later.
2. Employ network controls to limit exposure to potential attackers.
3. Monitor server performance for unusual CPU load patterns.
For comprehensive security assessments, organizations can consider application security assessment services.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor for:
1. Log indicators of unusual connection attempts originating from the same source.
2. Behavioral anomalies in server performance, especially during peak traffic.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-23020 lies in its demonstration of how hash collisions can be weaponized to impact service availability. This vulnerability highlights the need for robust hashing algorithms and connection management strategies.
Security teams should take this as a lesson to regularly review and test their systems for similar vulnerabilities. For further insights on vulnerability management, organizations can explore our vulnerability management program guidance.
Moreover, understanding the implications of vulnerabilities like these can inform better development practices and risk assessments in future projects. For organizations looking to enhance their security posture, we recommend checking our
penetration testing methodology for comprehensive insights.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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