CVE-2022-21688 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2022-21688, a vulnerability in OnionShare versions < 2.5 that enables denial-of-service attacks. Explore its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps here.
OnionShare, an open-source tool for secure file sharing and hosting, was found to have a vulnerability leading to denial of service via a QT image parsing flaw. This article delves into the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps associated with CVE-2022-21688.
Understanding CVE-2022-21688
OnionShare versions below 2.5 are affected by an out-of-bounds read vulnerability, potentially resulting in a high impact denial-of-service attack.
What is CVE-2022-21688?
OnionShare's desktop application versions prior to 2.5 are susceptible to a denial of service attack due to an undisclosed vulnerability in QT image parsing, leading to excessive memory consumption.
The Impact of CVE-2022-21688
The vulnerability allows adversaries, with knowledge of the Onion service address, to trigger a denial of service attack by rendering content in the history tab, quickly exhausting server memory.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-21688
Let's dive into the specifics of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
Approximately 20 bytes can lead to 2GB memory consumption, requiring user interaction for exploitation. Adversaries can cause out-of-memory issues for servers, particularly in public or private mode.
Affected Systems and Versions
Onionshare versions prior to 2.5 on desktop platforms are impacted by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit the flaw, rendering in the history tab of the desktop application is necessary, thereby raising the severity of the issue.
Mitigation and Prevention
Discover how to address and prevent CVE-2022-21688.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are urged to update to version 2.5 of OnionShare to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent potential attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
Practicing regular software updates and maintaining awareness of security advisories can help mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Patching and Updates
It is crucial to stay informed about security patches and promptly apply updates to secure systems against known vulnerabilities.