CVE-2017-20160 in express-param
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2022
A vulnerability was found in flitto express-param up to 0.x. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the file lib/fetchParams.js. The manipulation leads to improper handling of extra parameters. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 1.0.0 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is db94f7391ad0a16dcfcba8b9be1af385b25c42db. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-217149 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-20160 resides within the flitto express-param library version 0.x, representing a critical security flaw that has been catalogued under the VDB-217149 identifier. This weakness manifests in the lib/fetchParams.js file where improper handling of extra parameters creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates its potential for severe impact on system security and data integrity. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate parameter processing in ways that could lead to unauthorized access or data compromise. The issue specifically affects the parameter parsing mechanism within the library, where additional or unexpected parameters are not properly validated or sanitized before processing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors, enabling adversaries to craft malicious inputs that exploit the improper parameter handling behavior. When the library processes extra parameters, the flawed implementation fails to adequately validate or sanitize these inputs, potentially allowing attackers to inject harmful data or manipulate the application's behavior. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation," a fundamental weakness in software design that occurs when input is not properly validated before being processed. The improper handling of extra parameters creates opportunities for various attack patterns including injection attacks, where malicious data can be injected into the parameter processing flow and executed or interpreted in unintended ways.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it can potentially enable attackers to bypass security controls or access sensitive information. Remote exploitation capabilities mean that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can target vulnerable applications from external networks. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used parameter processing library could affect numerous applications that depend on flitto express-param for handling HTTP request parameters. This creates a cascading effect where a single vulnerable library can compromise multiple applications and systems that utilize it. The attack surface expands when considering that parameter processing is fundamental to web applications, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where parameter validation is critical for maintaining application security.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 1.0.0 of the flitto express-param library, which contains the patch identified by the commit hash db94f7391ad0a16dcfcba8b9be1af385b25c42db. This upgrade addresses the core issue by implementing proper parameter validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent the improper handling of extra parameters. Organizations should prioritize this upgrade as an immediate security measure, particularly in environments where applications are exposed to untrusted input or external networks. The patch implementation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves command and script injection through parameter manipulation, by addressing the root cause that enables such injection attacks. Additionally, the fix demonstrates adherence to secure coding practices that prevent common vulnerabilities such as those described in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing issues related to parameter validation and input sanitization that are critical for maintaining web application security.