CVE-2022-3371 in rdiffweb
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2022
Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling in GitHub repository ikus060/rdiffweb prior to 2.5.0a3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3371 represents a critical resource allocation flaw in the rdiffweb repository management system developed by ikus060. This issue affects versions prior to 2.5.0a3 and stems from insufficient limits or throttling mechanisms when handling resource allocation requests. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly constrain the amount of memory, CPU cycles, or other computational resources that can be consumed during various operations within the repository management framework. Such unrestricted resource consumption can lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions that impact legitimate users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-770, which specifically addresses the allocation of resources without limits or throttling. The flaw occurs at the application level where the rdiffweb system does not enforce proper resource boundaries during repository operations, file transfers, or backup processes. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting multiple concurrent requests or by initiating resource-intensive operations that consume excessive system resources without proper rate limiting or resource caps. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the core of repository management functionality where users would naturally expect robust resource handling and protection against abuse.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on rdiffweb for backup and repository management services. The lack of resource throttling means that malicious actors or even well-intentioned users could inadvertently or deliberately exhaust system resources, leading to complete service unavailability for other users. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromising the stability of the entire backup infrastructure, affecting data integrity and availability for critical business operations. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments where one user's resource exhaustion could affect all users of the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-3371 should focus on implementing proper resource limits and throttling mechanisms within the rdiffweb application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to version 2.5.0a3 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper resource allocation controls. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of rate limiting, memory caps, and CPU usage controls should be enforced at both the application level and system level. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices from the ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to resource exhaustion and application hardening, ensuring that all resource management operations are properly constrained and monitored to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the backup and repository infrastructure.