CVE-2022-35949 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2022-35949, a vulnerability in the

undici.request

module that makes it vulnerable to SSRF attacks using absolute URLs on the

pathname

parameter.

Understanding CVE-2022-35949

CVE-2022-35949 details a vulnerability in the

undici.request

module that can be exploited to perform Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attacks by manipulating user-input absolute URLs within the

pathname

option.

What is CVE-2022-35949?

The vulnerability in the

undici.request

module allows an attacker to trick the application into sending requests to unintended destinations by manipulating the input provided in the

pathname

parameter. This could result in SSRF attacks, leading to unauthorized access or data leakage.

The Impact of CVE-2022-35949

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to bypass security controls and interact with services within the network that are otherwise restricted. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker could potentially retrieve sensitive data or perform further malicious activities on the target system.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-35949

The following technical details outline the vulnerability affecting

undici@<= 5.8.1

:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to improper handling of user-input absolute URLs in the

pathname

parameter of

undici.request

. By manipulating this input, an attacker can redirect requests to unintended destinations, facilitating SSRF attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects

undici

versions up to and including 5.8.1. Users utilizing these versions are advised to upgrade to

undici@5.8.2

to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves inserting malicious absolute URLs into the

pathname

parameter of

undici.request

, allowing attackers to control the destination of the requests and potentially interact with internal network services.

Mitigation and Prevention

As a proactive measure against CVE-2022-35949, users and developers can implement the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to

undici@5.8.2

or a secure version to patch the vulnerability.
Validate user input thoroughly before passing it to the

undici.request

function to prevent SSRF attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address similar vulnerabilities.
Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent SSRF and other injection attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all dependencies, including

undici

, are regularly updated to the latest secure versions to mitigate potential security risks.