CVE-2021-32723 : Security Advisory and Response

Prism v1.24 and below, a syntax highlighting library, are susceptible to Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS), posing a high severity threat. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps for CVE-2021-32723.

Understanding CVE-2021-32723

This section provides a detailed overview of the vulnerability affecting Prism.

What is CVE-2021-32723?

Prism, a syntax highlighting library, versions prior to 1.24 are exposed to Regular Expression Denial of Service (ReDoS) attacks. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious strings that cause extensive processing delays during text highlighting.

The Impact of CVE-2021-32723

With a CVSS base score of 7.4 (High Severity), the vulnerability allows threat actors to induce Availability Impact by causing extended processing times when handling user input. This can lead to service disruption and performance degradation.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-32723

Explore the specifics of the vulnerability, including affected systems, exploitation mechanisms, and more.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the inefficient handling of Regular Expressions in Prism versions earlier than 1.24, enabling ReDoS attacks through specially crafted input strings.

Affected Systems and Versions

Prism versions below 1.24 are impacted by this vulnerability while other languages remain unaffected and safe for untrusted text highlighting.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging ASCIIDoc or ERB to highlight untrusted text, attackers can exploit the vulnerability in versions prior to 1.24, inducing significant processing delays.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover immediate steps to address the vulnerability and adopt long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update Prism to version 1.24 or newer, avoiding the usage of ASCIIDoc or ERB to highlight untrusted text as a preventive measure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement regular software updates, conduct security assessments, and adhere to secure coding practices to mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches and updates to ensure the latest bug fixes and security enhancements are in place for Prism.