CVE-2018-1000656 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Flask version prior to 0.12.3 from the Pallets Project has a vulnerability (CWE-20) due to improper input validation. This flaw could lead to a denial of service attack by consuming excessive memory when an attacker provides JSON data in the wrong encoding. The issue has been fixed in version 0.12.3.

Understanding CVE-2018-1000656

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the Flask framework that could be exploited to cause a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2018-1000656?

The vulnerability in Flask version prior to 0.12.3 allows attackers to trigger a denial of service by using JSON data with incorrect encoding.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1000656

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to consume a large amount of memory, potentially leading to a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1000656

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in Flask, allowing attackers to cause a denial of service by utilizing excessive memory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Affected Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by providing JSON data in the incorrect encoding, triggering excessive memory usage.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-1000656 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Flask to version 0.12.3 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system resources for unusual memory consumption.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent input validation vulnerabilities.
Regularly update and patch software to address known security issues.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure all software components, including Flask, are regularly updated to the latest secure versions.