CVE-2016-1000232 in NodeJS Tough-Cookie
Summary
by MITRE
NodeJS Tough-Cookie version 2.2.2 contains a Regular Expression Parsing vulnerability in HTTP request Cookie Header parsing that can result in Denial of Service. This attack appear to be exploitable via Custom HTTP header passed by client. This vulnerability appears to have been fixed in 2.3.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1000232 affects Node.js applications utilizing the tough-cookie library version 2.2.2, specifically targeting the parsing of HTTP cookie headers through regular expression processing. This issue manifests when the library processes custom HTTP headers containing malformed cookie data, creating a potential attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of regular expression patterns during cookie header parsing operations.
The technical flaw resides in the regular expression engine's handling of specific cookie header patterns that cause catastrophic backtracking during parsing operations. When a client sends a specially crafted HTTP header containing malformed cookie data, the tough-cookie library's parsing logic triggers a regular expression that consumes excessive computational resources. This behavior aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of regular expression denial of service attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the HTTP request processing pipeline where cookie headers are parsed and validated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable broader attack scenarios within networked applications. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can cause the targeted Node.js application to consume excessive CPU cycles and memory resources, leading to complete service unavailability. This denial of service condition affects all applications relying on the vulnerable tough-cookie library version, particularly web servers and proxy applications that process HTTP cookie headers. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard HTTP client requests, making it accessible to attackers with basic network connectivity. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in significant operational disruption and may be used as part of larger attack campaigns targeting application availability.
The fix for this vulnerability was implemented in tough-cookie version 2.3.0, which introduced improved regular expression patterns and enhanced input validation mechanisms. Organizations should immediately upgrade to this patched version or newer releases to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Additional mitigations include implementing rate limiting on HTTP requests, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malformed cookie headers, and monitoring for unusual CPU consumption patterns in affected applications. Security teams should also consider implementing input sanitization measures at the network perimeter and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable components within their Node.js application stacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of regular dependency updates and proper input validation in preventing denial of service attacks that can compromise system availability and service integrity.