CVE-2021-4247 in NodeGoat
Summary
by MITRE • 12/18/2022
A vulnerability has been found in OWASP NodeGoat and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file app/routes/research.js of the component Query Parameter Handler. The manipulation leads to denial of service. The attack can be initiated remotely. The name of the patch is 4a4d1db74c63fb4ff8d366551c3af006c25ead12. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-216184.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-4247 resides within the OWASP NodeGoat application, specifically targeting the query parameter handler component located in the app/routes/research.js file. This issue represents a significant security concern as it allows for remote denial of service attacks, potentially compromising the availability of the application's services. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of query parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system's response mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests in how the application processes incoming query parameters through the research.js route handler, where insufficient input validation and sanitization permits malformed or malicious parameter values to disrupt normal application operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-400, which encompasses improper handling of resource identifiers and parameter manipulation, making it particularly dangerous in web applications where user input directly influences system behavior. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can initiate the denial of service condition without requiring physical access to the system or local network presence.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can effectively render the application unavailable to legitimate users while potentially consuming system resources through malicious request patterns. Attackers could leverage this weakness to exhaust server resources, cause application crashes, or create cascading failures that affect the overall system stability. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks, though this particular implementation targets application-level resources rather than network infrastructure.
Security practitioners should prioritize applying the recommended patch identified by the commit hash 4a4d1db74c63fb4ff8d366551c3af006c25ead12, which addresses the improper parameter handling in the research.js file. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input validation, parameter sanitization, and rate limiting mechanisms would provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations utilizing OWASP NodeGoat should conduct thorough security assessments to identify potential variations of this vulnerability pattern within their own codebases, as the underlying issue reflects common weaknesses in web application security practices that align with ATT&CK technique T1210, which covers exploitation of remote services through parameter manipulation and injection attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and resource management in preventing denial of service conditions that can severely impact application availability and user experience.