CVE-2019-14235 : What You Need to Know

A problem was found in Django versions 1.11.x through 1.11.23, 2.1.x through 2.1.11, and 2.2.x through 2.2.4. When specific input is provided, the function django.utils.encoding.uri_to_iri could consume a large amount of memory due to a loop that repercent-encodes invalid UTF-8 byte sequences.

Understanding CVE-2019-14235

This CVE entry describes a memory consumption issue in Django versions that could be exploited by providing specific input to the uri_to_iri function.

What is CVE-2019-14235?

CVE-2019-14235 is a vulnerability in Django versions 1.11.x through 1.11.23, 2.1.x through 2.1.11, and 2.2.x through 2.2.4 that can lead to significant memory usage due to a recursion when repercent-encoding invalid UTF-8 octet sequences.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14235

The vulnerability could be exploited to cause a denial of service (DoS) by consuming excessive memory resources, potentially leading to system instability or unresponsiveness.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14235

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises in Django versions before 1.11.23, 2.1.11, and 2.2.4 when certain inputs are passed to django.utils.encoding.uri_to_iri, resulting in a memory consumption problem due to recursive repercent-encoding of invalid UTF-8 octet sequences.

Affected Systems and Versions

Django versions 1.11.x through 1.11.23
Django versions 2.1.x through 2.1.11
Django versions 2.2.x through 2.2.4

Exploitation Mechanism

By providing specific input to the uri_to_iri function in the affected Django versions, an attacker could trigger the recursion that leads to excessive memory usage.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2019-14235.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Django to the latest patched version that addresses the memory consumption issue.
Monitor system resources for any unusual memory consumption patterns.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent malicious inputs.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Django promptly to fix the vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.