CVE-2017-10910 in MQTT.js
Summary
by MITRE
MQTT.js 2.x.x prior to 2.15.0 issue in handling PUBLISH tickets may lead to an attacker causing a denial-of-service condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10910 affects MQTT.js versions 2.x.x prior to 2.15.0 and represents a significant denial-of-service weakness in the message queue telemetry transport protocol implementation. This issue specifically manifests during the handling of PUBLISH packets within the MQTT messaging system, where malformed or specially crafted packets can trigger unexpected behavior in the client library. The flaw exists in how the library processes incoming publish messages, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability impacts systems relying on MQTT.js for MQTT protocol communication, particularly those implementing version 2.x.x releases before the security patch was introduced.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in inadequate input validation and error handling within the MQTT.js library's packet processing mechanism. When the library receives PUBLISH packets containing malformed data structures or unexpected payload configurations, the parsing logic fails to properly sanitize or reject these inputs, leading to potential crashes or resource exhaustion within the application. This behavior stems from insufficient boundary checks and validation routines that should normally occur during packet deserialization. The flaw allows attackers to craft specific PUBLISH messages that, when processed by the vulnerable library, cause the application to enter an unstable state or terminate unexpectedly. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a classic denial-of-service vulnerability that can be exploited through protocol-level attacks without requiring elevated privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-10910 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can affect the reliability and availability of IoT systems, industrial control networks, and enterprise messaging infrastructures that depend on MQTT.js for communication. Organizations utilizing affected versions may experience intermittent service outages, application crashes, or complete system unavailability when malicious PUBLISH packets are transmitted to their MQTT brokers or clients. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where MQTT is used for critical operations such as sensor data collection, industrial automation, or real-time monitoring systems, where service interruptions can result in significant operational losses or safety concerns. Network administrators and security teams must consider the potential for cascading failures when multiple vulnerable clients exist within the same network infrastructure, as a single exploited endpoint could potentially disrupt broader communication ecosystems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to MQTT.js version 2.15.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and error handling mechanisms to prevent the denial-of-service condition. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of the library and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of defense by detecting unusual PUBLISH packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security controls should also include implementing rate limiting and packet filtering mechanisms at network boundaries to reduce the impact of potential attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for network denial-of-service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing application-level firewalls or API gateways that can filter and validate MQTT protocol traffic before it reaches vulnerable applications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other MQTT implementations or related IoT communication libraries within the enterprise environment.