CVE-2025-24946 describes a vulnerability in the picoquic library, specifically concerning the hash table used to manage connections. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to initiate a Hash Denial of Service (DoS) attack by exploiting a weak hash function. The attack is executed by sending connections with colliding Source Connection IDs (SCIDs), which can lead to significant CPU load on the server.
With a CVSS score of 5.3, this vulnerability is classified as medium severity. The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity is low, meaning that attackers do not require special privileges or user interaction to exploit the vulnerability. The potential impact is primarily on availability, as the attack can lead to a considerable CPU load, affecting the server's performance.
Organizations should prioritize addressing this vulnerability in their patch cycle, especially considering the potential for significant resource consumption during an attack. As of now, there is no known public exploit or proof of concept available, but the vulnerability's nature necessitates proactive measures.
The vulnerability was published on February 20, 2025, and its status is currently deferred. The community should remain vigilant and monitor for updates regarding any patches or mitigations associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The hash table used to manage connections in picoquic before b80fd3f employs a weak hash function, enabling remote attackers to cause considerable CPU load on the server. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-407, which pertains to improper resource shutdown or release.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.3, indicating a medium level of risk. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low. No privileges are required for exploitation, and user interaction is not necessary. The availability impact is rated as low, which may still affect service performance.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the use of a weak hash function within the hash table managing connections. This deficiency allows attackers to exploit the hash function's characteristics, leading to a Hash DoS attack. The attack vector is network-based, making it accessible from any location with internet access.
The complexity of executing this attack is low, as attackers do not require any special privileges or user interaction. The impact of the attack primarily affects the availability of the server, potentially causing it to become unresponsive due to excessive CPU usage.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the potential for service disruption due to the increased CPU load caused by a Hash DoS attack. Given the low attack complexity, this vulnerability presents a tangible risk, particularly to organizations that rely on picoquic for critical services. The availability impact, though rated low, could still lead to significant operational challenges.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate any risk of exploitation. The lack of public exploits at this time does not diminish the importance of remediation, as attackers may develop methods to exploit this vulnerability in the future.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to vendor patch are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations using picoquic should verify their version and implement necessary patches.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching picoquic to a version that addresses this vulnerability. If a patch is not immediately available, implementing network controls to limit exposure to potential attacks may be prudent. Regularly monitoring performance metrics can help identify unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for high CPU usage patterns and unexpected connection attempts can help in identifying potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Security teams should implement logging mechanisms to capture relevant data for analysis.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-24946 lies in its potential to disrupt services relying on picoquic. As remote work and cloud services continue to expand, the reliance on network protocols like QUIC increases. Organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing vulnerabilities to avoid service disruptions.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of robust hash functions in maintaining service availability. Security teams should review their architecture to ensure they are not vulnerable to similar attacks.
For continuous improvement, organizations should consider adopting a penetration testing approach to regularly assess their systems against emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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