CVE-2018-20164 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability was found in the file regex.yaml within the UA-Parser UAP-Core versions earlier than 0.6.0, leading to a Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) issue.

Understanding CVE-2018-20164

This CVE involves a vulnerability in UA-Parser UAP-Core versions prior to 0.6.0, allowing attackers to overload a server through the User-Agent header manipulation.

What is CVE-2018-20164?

The vulnerability in regex.yaml in UA-Parser UAP-Core before version 0.6.0 enables attackers to overwhelm a server by sending an HTTP(S) request with an excessively long digit string in the User-Agent header.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20164

Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability to conduct Denial of Service attacks, potentially disrupting server operations.
All implementations of the UAP-Core project are affected by this vulnerability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20164

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to overload a server by manipulating the User-Agent header with a long digit string.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: N/A
Vendor: N/A
Versions Affected: UAP-Core versions earlier than 0.6.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending HTTP(S) requests with excessively long digit strings in the User-Agent header.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protective measures to address CVE-2018-20164.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update UA-Parser UAP-Core to version 0.6.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict the length of User-Agent headers in incoming requests.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement network-level protections to mitigate potential DoS attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by UA-Parser UAP-Core to address the vulnerability.