CVE-2019-17555 : What You Need to Know

Apache Olingo versions 4.0.0 to 4.6.0 are vulnerable to a DoS attack due to improper handling of the Retry-After header in the AsyncResponseWrapperImpl class.

Understanding CVE-2019-17555

In Apache Olingo versions 4.0.0 to 4.6.0, a vulnerability exists that could allow an attacker to launch a Denial of Service (DoS) attack by manipulating the Retry-After header.

What is CVE-2019-17555?

The vulnerability in Apache Olingo versions 4.0.0 to 4.6.0 stems from the AsyncResponseWrapperImpl class not validating the Retry-After header value before using it in the Thread.sleep() method. This oversight could be exploited by an attacker to cause a DoS condition.

The Impact of CVE-2019-17555

If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack on systems running the affected Apache Olingo versions 4.0.0 to 4.6.0. An attacker could manipulate the Retry-After header to trigger excessive delays in processing, potentially rendering the system unresponsive.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-17555

The technical aspects of the vulnerability in Apache Olingo versions 4.0.0 to 4.6.0 are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The AsyncResponseWrapperImpl class fails to validate the Retry-After header value before using it in the Thread.sleep() method, opening the door for a potential DoS attack if manipulated maliciously.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Olingo
Vendor: Apache
Versions Affected: 4.0.0 to 4.6.0

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending a specially crafted Retry-After header with an excessively large value, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability to cause a DoS condition by delaying the system's response time.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-17555 and prevent potential exploitation, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the vendor-supplied patches or updates to the affected Apache Olingo versions.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity related to the Retry-After header.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation mechanisms to ensure that unexpected values are not processed.
Regularly update and patch software components to address known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apache Olingo users should update their software to versions that contain fixes for CVE-2019-17555 to mitigate the risk of a DoS attack.