CVE-2017-16138 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2017-16138, published on April 26, 2018, addresses a vulnerability in the mime node module versions before 1.4.1, 2.0.1, and 2.0.2. This vulnerability can lead to denial of service attacks when processing untrusted user input.

Understanding CVE-2017-16138

This CVE entry highlights a security issue in the mime node module that could be exploited to cause denial of service.

What is CVE-2017-16138?

The vulnerability in the mime node module versions prior to 1.4.1, 2.0.1, and 2.0.2 allows for regular expression denial of service attacks during mime lookups on untrusted user input.

The Impact of CVE-2017-16138

Exploiting this vulnerability could result in denial of service, potentially disrupting the availability of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-16138

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The mime node module versions before 1.4.1, 2.0.1, and 2.0.2 are susceptible to denial of service attacks triggered by processing untrusted user input during mime lookups.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: mime node module
Vendor: HackerOne
Vulnerable Versions: < 1.4.1 || > 2.0.0 < 2.0.3

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by performing a mime lookup on user input that is not trusted, leading to regular expression denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-16138 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the mime node module to version 1.4.1 or above to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid processing untrusted user input directly in mime lookups.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation mechanisms to sanitize user input.
Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates related to the mime node module.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the vendor to address the vulnerability.