CVE-2023-33546 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A denial of service vulnerability has been identified in Janino 3.1.9 and earlier versions, potentially leading to DOS attacks when utilizing the expression evaluator.guess parameter name method.

Understanding CVE-2023-33546

This CVE highlights a vulnerability in Janino that could be exploited for denial of service attacks.

What is CVE-2023-33546?

The vulnerability in Janino 3.1.9 and earlier may allow an attacker to crash the parser through a stack overflow when processing user-supplied input, resulting in a denial of service (DOS) condition.

The Impact of CVE-2023-33546

The impact of CVE-2023-33546 could lead to service disruptions, crashes, and unavailability of affected systems, potentially affecting the availability of the application.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-33546

This section provides more insights into the vulnerability in Janino and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises when utilizing the expression evaluator.guess parameter name method, allowing an attacker to supply malicious content and cause the parser to crash due to a stack overflow.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected systems include Janino 3.1.9 and earlier versions. Systems that utilize this library and process untrusted input are at risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation of this vulnerability involves supplying crafted input to trigger a stack overflow, leading to the crash of the Janino parser.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-33546, immediate actions and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should avoid using Janino with untrusted input until a patch or workaround is available.
Regular monitoring and analysis of system behavior can help detect any unusual activities indicative of a DOS attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation mechanisms to filter out potentially harmful content before processing.
Stay informed about security updates and patches provided by Janino to address known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Keep abreast of security advisories and updates from Janino to apply patches promptly and ensure the protection of systems and applications.