CVE-2019-1083 in .NET Framework
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability exists when Microsoft Common Object Runtime Library improperly handles web requests, aka '.NET Denial of Service Vulnerability'.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1083 represents a critical denial of service weakness within Microsoft's Common Object Runtime Library that affects .NET Framework implementations. This flaw manifests when the system processes certain web requests in a manner that leads to resource exhaustion and system unavailability. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of malformed or specially crafted web requests within the Common Object Runtime Library component, which forms a foundational element of Microsoft's .NET Framework architecture. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending carefully constructed requests that cause the affected system to consume excessive computational resources or memory, ultimately leading to service disruption and system instability. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the library's web request processing routines, creating a pathway for malicious actors to induce system failures without requiring elevated privileges or authentication credentials.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2019-1083 occurs through the manipulation of web request parameters that trigger improper memory allocation or processing behavior within the Common Object Runtime Library. When the library receives requests containing specific patterns or malformed data structures, it fails to properly validate the input before processing, leading to cascading resource consumption issues. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can affect systems running affected versions of the .NET Framework, particularly those that process external web requests or serve web content. The flaw is categorized under CWE-400 as an Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerability, which directly aligns with the denial of service characteristics observed in this exploit. The attack vector is primarily remote and can be executed through standard web protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where web services are exposed to untrusted networks or user inputs. The vulnerability affects multiple Microsoft products including Windows Server, .NET Framework versions, and related software components that utilize the Common Object Runtime Library.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-1083 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire infrastructure availability and business continuity operations. Organizations running affected systems may experience complete service outages, application crashes, or significant performance degradation that can last from minutes to hours depending on the scale of the attack. The vulnerability's potential for widespread impact is heightened by the prevalence of .NET Framework applications across enterprise environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to cause maximum disruption. Systems that rely heavily on web-based services, including web applications, APIs, and content management systems built on .NET platforms, face the greatest risk from this vulnerability. The attack can be executed with minimal technical expertise, as it does not require specialized knowledge of system internals or advanced penetration testing skills. Furthermore, the vulnerability can be exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors, potentially leading to more severe consequences including data loss or system compromise. The impact is particularly severe in cloud environments where shared resources and virtualized infrastructure can amplify the effects of resource exhaustion attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1083 primarily focus on applying Microsoft's official security patches and updates that address the underlying resource handling issues in the Common Object Runtime Library. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the relevant security updates from Microsoft's official channels, as these patches contain the necessary code modifications to properly validate web request inputs and prevent resource exhaustion scenarios. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as rate limiting, input validation firewalls, and web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious request patterns before they reach vulnerable components. Additional defensive measures include monitoring system resource utilization for unusual spikes that might indicate exploitation attempts, implementing proper logging and alerting mechanisms, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected .NET Framework versions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service, emphasizing the importance of network-level defenses and monitoring. Organizations should also consider implementing application-level restrictions and input sanitization measures to provide additional layers of protection beyond the official patches. Regular security awareness training for developers and system administrators is crucial to ensure proper application design practices that avoid similar vulnerabilities in custom code implementations.