CVE-2020-7662 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

WebSocket-extensions npm module prior to 0.1.4 is vulnerable to Denial of Service (DoS) via Regex Backtracking, potentially leading to Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2020-7662

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the WebSocket-extensions npm module that allows for DoS attacks through Regex Backtracking.

What is CVE-2020-7662?

The WebSocket-extensions npm module, versions prior to 0.1.4, is susceptible to a DoS vulnerability due to inefficient parsing of headers containing specific content, enabling ReDoS attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7662

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to cause a ReDoS attack on a single-threaded server by sending a malicious payload in the Sec-WebSocket-Extensions header.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7662

The technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

WebSocket-extensions npm module before version 0.1.4 is prone to DoS via Regex Backtracking.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: websocket-extensions (npm)
Vendor: n/a
Versions Affected: All versions prior to 0.1.4

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises from the extension parser taking quadratic time when parsing headers with specific unclosed string parameter values.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protective measures against CVE-2020-7662.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the WebSocket-extensions npm module to version 0.1.4 or later.
Monitor and restrict input data to prevent malicious payloads.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update dependencies to patch known vulnerabilities.
Implement input validation and sanitization to mitigate DoS risks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates promptly to address security vulnerabilities.