CVE-2023-2968 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-2968, a vulnerability that affects the npm package "proxy." This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote attacker to trigger a denial of service by utilizing the socket.remoteAddress variable in a crafted HTTP request, leading to a TypeError exception.

Understanding CVE-2023-2968

In CVE-2023-2968, the npm package "proxy" is susceptible to a remote denial of service attack due to the usage of an undefined variable, specifically in the socket.remoteAddress, which can result in a TypeError exception.

What is CVE-2023-2968?

CVE-2023-2968 is a vulnerability that allows a remote attacker to exploit the socket.remoteAddress variable in the npm package "proxy" by sending a malicious HTTP request, ultimately causing a denial of service. This vulnerability carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5, indicating a high severity level.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2968

The impact of CVE-2023-2968 is significant, with a high availability impact. An attacker can remotely trigger a denial of service attack by exploiting the undefined variable within the "proxy" npm package, potentially disrupting services and causing system downtime.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2968

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of CVE-2023-2968, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the npm package "proxy" stems from the usage of an undefined variable, leading to a denial of service in the socket.remoteAddress variable. This vulnerability allows malicious actors to disrupt the normal operation of the affected system by triggering a TypeError exception.

Affected Systems and Versions

The "proxy" npm package is vulnerable to CVE-2023-2968 in versions prior to 2.1.1. Systems using affected versions of this package are at risk of exploitation by remote attackers aiming to initiate denial of service attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending a carefully crafted HTTP request, a remote attacker can exploit the undefined variable within the socket.remoteAddress in the "proxy" npm package. This exploitation triggers a denial of service condition, impacting the availability of the targeted system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-2968 and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, immediate actions, long-term security practices, and the implementation of patches and updates are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

System administrators and users are advised to update the "proxy" npm package to version 2.1.1 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring and filtering incoming HTTP requests can help detect and prevent potential attacks targeting the undefined variable usage.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize ongoing vulnerability assessments, secure coding practices, and regular security training for developers to enhance the overall resilience of their software ecosystem against similar threats.

Patching and Updates

Staying vigilant for security advisories and promptly applying patches and updates released by the package maintainers is crucial to defending against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-2968. Regularly updating dependencies and implementing robust security measures can help safeguard against potential exploits.