CVE-2022-27306 in Node.js
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2022
The function url.parse() in Node.js v17.7.0 allows attackers to spoof a hostname.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27306 resides within Node.js version 17.7.0 and specifically affects the url.parse() function implementation. This flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate hostname parsing behavior through carefully crafted input sequences that can bypass normal validation mechanisms. The issue demonstrates a critical weakness in how Node.js handles URL parsing operations, particularly when processing certain edge cases in hostname components that could be exploited to alter the intended parsing outcome.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation within the url.parse() function's hostname handling logic. When processing URLs containing specific character sequences or malformed hostname components, the function fails to properly validate the input against standard hostname conventions. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to craft URLs where the hostname portion can be manipulated to appear as a different domain than what was actually intended, potentially leading to security bypasses in applications that rely on hostname verification for access control or routing decisions. The flaw operates at the parsing layer where the distinction between legitimate and malicious input becomes blurred due to inadequate boundary checking.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to applications that depend on Node.js for URL processing and hostname validation. Attackers could exploit this weakness to perform host header injection attacks, manipulate routing decisions in web applications, or bypass security controls that rely on hostname verification. The vulnerability affects any Node.js application that processes user-supplied URLs through the url.parse() function, potentially compromising authentication mechanisms, session management, and access control policies. Organizations running Node.js applications in production environments face increased risk of unauthorized access or data exposure when this vulnerability is present.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-27306 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Node.js installations to version 17.7.1 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at application level to sanitize URL inputs before processing them through url.parse() functions. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious URL patterns, implementing proper hostname verification mechanisms, and considering alternative URL parsing libraries that have been verified as secure against similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation, while CWE classification indicates this as a weakness in input validation related to hostname parsing and URL handling. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews to identify all instances where url.parse() is used and ensure proper validation is implemented to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.