https-proxy-agent auth Option Denial of Service Vulnerability [CVE-2018-3739]

CVE Number – CVE-2018-3739

A vulnerability in the https-proxy-agent module could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition or access sensitive information on a targeted system.

The vulnerability exists because the affected software passes the auth option to the Buffer() constructor without proper sanitization. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting malicious input to the auth parameter on a targeted system. A successful exploit could cause excessive CPU resources to be consumed, resulting in a DoS condition. In addition, an exploit could trigger a memory leak, which the attacker could use to gain access to uninitialized memory.

Proof-of-concept (PoC) code that demonstrates an exploit of this vulnerability is publicly available.

The vendor has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.

• To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must send a request that submits malicious input to the targeted system, making exploitation more difficult in environments that restrict network access from untrusted sources.

• Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.

  Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to have network access.

  Administrators are advised to run both firewall and antivirus applications to minimize the potential of inbound and outbound threats.

  Administrators may consider using IP-based access control lists (ACLs) to allow only trusted systems to access the affected systems.

  Administrators can help protect affected systems from external attacks by using a solid firewall strategy.

  Administrators are advised to monitor affected systems.

• The vendor has released a git commit at the following link: commit 1c24219df87524e6ed973127e81f30801d658f07

• The vendor has released software updates at the following link: https-proxy-agent 2.2.0 or later

Duncan

Duncan is a technology professional with over 20 years experience of working in various IT roles. He has a interest in cyber security, and has a wide range of other skills in radio, electronics and telecommunications.