CVE-2017-16025 in Nes
Summary
by MITRE
Nes is a websocket extension library for hapi. Hapi is a webserver framework. Versions below and including 6.4.0 have a denial of service vulnerability via an invalid Cookie header. This is only present when websocket authentication is set to `cookie`. Submitting an invalid cookie on the websocket upgrade request will cause the node process to error out.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-16025 affects the nes websocket extension library for the hapi webserver framework, specifically versions 6.4.0 and earlier. This issue represents a denial of service condition that can be exploited through manipulation of the Cookie header during websocket upgrade requests. The vulnerability is particularly significant because it targets the authentication mechanism of websocket connections when the cookie authentication method is enabled, creating a potential attack surface that could disrupt service availability for legitimate users.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of invalid cookie headers during the websocket upgrade process within the nes library. When websocket authentication is configured to use cookies, the library fails to adequately validate or sanitize the cookie data provided in the upgrade request. This validation gap allows an attacker to submit malformed or invalid cookie values that cause the node.js process to encounter an unhandled error condition. The error occurs specifically during the websocket handshake phase when the server attempts to authenticate the connection using the provided cookie information, leading to process termination or crash.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be exploited to cause complete service unavailability for applications using affected versions of the hapi framework. Attackers can repeatedly submit malicious cookie headers to trigger the denial of service condition, potentially leading to sustained disruption of websocket services. This vulnerability affects applications that rely on websocket functionality for real-time communication, including chat applications, live updates, and collaborative tools. The issue is particularly concerning in production environments where websocket services are critical for application functionality and user experience.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate upgrading to versions of the nes library and hapi framework that contain the fix, specifically versions beyond 6.4.0. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures at the application level to reduce the impact of similar issues. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which covers improper input validation, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and logging mechanisms can help detect and respond to such attacks, while network segmentation and rate limiting can provide additional defense in depth measures to protect against exploitation attempts.