@octokit/request-error is an error class for Octokit request errors. Starting in version 1.0.0 and prior to version 6.1.7, a Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) vulnerability exists in the processing of HTTP request headers. By sending an authorization header containing an excessively long sequence of spaces followed by a newline and "@", an attacker can exploit inefficient regular expression processing, leading to excessive resource consumption. This can significantly degrade server performance or cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition, impacting availability. Version 6.1.7 contains a fix for the issue.
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as medium, with a CVSS score of 5.3. This indicates that while the impact on confidentiality and integrity is minimal, the availability impact is low. Organizations using versions prior to 6.1.7 should prioritize patching to avoid potential service outages.
Risk to organizations includes the potential for degraded server performance, which can disrupt services and affect user experience. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is essential for organizations to address this issue promptly to maintain operational availability.
As of the latest updates, there are no known exploits or public proofs of concept available for this vulnerability, indicating a lower immediate threat level. However, organizations should remain vigilant and apply the necessary updates to mitigate any potential risks.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability affects @octokit/request-error versions between 1.0.0 and 6.1.7. The issue arises from the processing of HTTP request headers, specifically the handling of authorization headers that contain excessively long sequences of spaces followed by a newline and "@". This leads to inefficient regular expression processing and can result in a denial-of-service condition.
The CVSS score of 5.3 indicates a medium severity level, with a low complexity attack vector and no privileges required for exploitation. The availability impact is categorized as low, highlighting the importance of swift remediation.
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-1333, indicating a failure to sanitize input adequately, leading to potential denial-of-service scenarios.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inefficient handling of regular expressions within the library. Attackers may leverage this by crafting HTTP request headers that exploit the regex processing logic, leading to resource exhaustion. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no user interaction, and it operates with low complexity.
In terms of impact, there is no confidentiality or integrity impact, but the availability impact can lead to degraded service performance. This highlights the importance of the vulnerability in production environments where service uptime is critical.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk includes potential service outages due to resource exhaustion caused by the vulnerability. The blast radius can affect any service utilizing the vulnerable library, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent degradation of service.
Organizations should assess the urgency based on the CVSS score of 5.3, which suggests addressing this vulnerability in priority patch cycles. The potential for a denial-of-service condition necessitates swift remediation efforts to avoid extended downtime.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of @octokit/request-error are from 1.0.0 to 6.1.7. All versions prior to vendor patch are vulnerable to this ReDoS vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should upgrade to version 6.1.7 or later of the @octokit/request-error library to mitigate this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing network controls to filter potentially malicious HTTP requests that could exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring server performance for unusual spikes in resource usage may help detect exploitation attempts.
For further security assessments, organizations may consider utilizing penetration testing services to identify similar vulnerabilities in their applications.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor the following indicators:
- Unusual patterns in HTTP request headers, particularly those containing excessive whitespace and newline characters.
- Spikes in resource usage on servers running the affected library.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-25289 lies in the increasing prevalence of Denial of Service vulnerabilities that exploit regex processing. As organizations increasingly rely on web applications, understanding and mitigating such vulnerabilities is crucial.
This vulnerability exemplifies the need for robust input validation and efficient regex usage in web applications, reinforcing the importance of security in software development practices.
Organizations should consider implementing a vulnerability management program to identify and mitigate regex-related vulnerabilities effectively.
For further insights on securing web applications, refer to our blog on web application penetration testing best practices.
Additionally, organizations can benefit from reviewing our guide on penetration testing methodology to enhance their overall security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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