CVE-2018-20801 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Highcharts JS before version 6.1.0 is vulnerable to a denial of service attack due to backtracking regular expressions in js/parts/SvgRenderer.js.

Understanding CVE-2018-20801

An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially cause a denial of service attack on the SVGRenderer component.

What is CVE-2018-20801?

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in Highcharts JS that allows attackers to exploit backtracking regular expressions in SvgRenderer.js, potentially leading to a denial of service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20801

The vulnerability could result in a denial of service attack on the SVGRenderer component, also known as ReDoS.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20801

Highcharts JS version 6.1.0 and below are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The use of backtracking regular expressions in SvgRenderer.js allows attackers to conduct a denial of service attack against the SVGRenderer component.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: Highcharts JS versions prior to 6.1.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by manipulating backtracking regular expressions in SvgRenderer.js.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-20801, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Highcharts JS to version 6.1.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unusual activity that could indicate a denial of service attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent denial of service attacks.
Educate developers handlign Highcharts JS on secure coding practices.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems using Highcharts JS are updated to version 6.1.0 or above to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.