CVE-2023-38504 in Sails
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2023
Sails is a realtime MVC Framework for Node.js. In Sails apps prior to version 1.5.7,, an attacker can send a virtual request that will cause the node process to crash. This behavior was fixed in Sails v1.5.7. As a workaround, disable the sockets hook and remove the `sails.io.js` client.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-38504 affects the Sails framework, a popular realtime MVC framework built for Node.js applications. This security flaw represents a denial of service condition that can be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt the normal operation of Sails-based applications. The vulnerability specifically targets versions prior to 1.5.7, indicating that the Sails development team has already addressed this issue in their subsequent releases. The flaw manifests when an attacker crafts a virtual request that triggers a node process crash, effectively rendering the affected application unavailable to legitimate users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of virtual requests within the Sails framework's socket communication mechanisms. When these malformed requests are processed, they cause the underlying Node.js process to terminate unexpectedly, leading to application downtime. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and error handling, which are commonly classified under CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through network-based attacks without requiring authentication or specialized privileges, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt services.
The operational implications of CVE-2023-38504 extend beyond simple service disruption, as it can lead to significant business impact for organizations relying on Sails applications. When the node process crashes, all connected clients lose their socket connections, and the application becomes temporarily unavailable until the process is manually restarted or automatically recovered. This vulnerability can be particularly damaging in production environments where continuous availability is critical, and the impact can compound if the application is part of a larger distributed system where dependent services may also be affected. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 - Endpoint Denial of Service, which specifically targets the exhaustion or disruption of system resources through various means.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize upgrading to Sails version 1.5.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent the exploitation. As a temporary workaround, administrators can disable the sockets hook and remove the sails.io.js client library from their applications. This mitigation strategy effectively disables the vulnerable communication pathway while maintaining application functionality through alternative means. However, this approach may limit the real-time capabilities that Sails applications typically provide, making it a less than ideal long-term solution. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider implementing additional defensive measures such as rate limiting and input validation at the application level to further protect against similar vulnerabilities.
The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping framework dependencies up to date and maintaining robust security practices in Node.js applications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be integrated into the development lifecycle to identify potential issues before they can be exploited. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across their application portfolio. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical nature of socket communication in real-time applications and the need for comprehensive error handling to prevent process termination due to malformed inputs.