CVE-2022-24729 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

CKEditor4 prior to version 4.18.0 has a vulnerability in the

dialog

plugin that can lead to a significant performance drop and browser tab freeze. This CVE has a CVSS base score of 6.5, indicating a medium severity issue.

Understanding CVE-2022-24729

An open-source what-you-see-is-what-you-get HTML editor, CKEditor4, is impacted by a Regular Expression Denial of Service vulnerability in the

dialog

plugin.

What is CVE-2022-24729?

The vulnerability in the

dialog

plugin of CKEditor4 allows malicious actors to abuse a dialog input validator regular expression, causing a performance degradation that can freeze browser tabs. This exploit can have a high impact on the availability of the affected system.

The Impact of CVE-2022-24729

The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in a denial of service condition, hindering the normal operation of the CKEditor4 application by causing browser tab freezes. This can lead to a negative user experience and disrupt workflow.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-24729

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the regular expression used by the

dialog

plugin, allowing threat actors to exploit it for malicious purposes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: ckeditor, Product: ckeditor4 Affected Version: < 4.18.0

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the regular expression in the

dialog

plugin, attackers can trigger a denial of service condition, resulting in a browser tab freeze and a significant performance drop.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators are advised to update CKEditor4 to version 4.18.0 or newer, which contains a patch for this vulnerability. It is crucial to apply security updates promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories from CKEditor4 and other relevant sources to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities and patches. Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in the future.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the provided URLs for official patches and security advisories related to CVE-2022-24729.