CVE-2023-2798 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-2798 was published by Google on May 25, 2023. The vulnerability affects the 'htmlunit' package before version 2.70.0. It allows attackers to potentially launch Denial of Service (DoS) attacks by causing HtmlUnit to crash via a stack overflow.

Understanding CVE-2023-2798

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-2798, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-2798?

CVE-2023-2798, also known as "Denial of service in HtmlUnit," exposes a vulnerability in HtmlUnit that allows attackers to crash the application through a stack overflow, potentially leading to DoS attacks. The issue affects versions of htmlunit before 2.70.0.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2798

The impact of CVE-2023-2798 is significant, with a CVSSv3.1 base score of 7.5, classifying it as a high-severity vulnerability. It could result in DoS attacks, specifically related to CAPEC-469 HTTP DoS.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2798

This section will cover the technical details of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in HtmlUnit allows attackers to trigger a stack overflow, crashing the application and potentially causing a DoS condition when processing malicious content on user-supplied web pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

HtmlUnit versions prior to 2.70.0 are affected by CVE-2023-2798. Users utilizing HtmlUnit to browse untrusted webpages may be at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can supply malicious content to HtmlUnit, causing it to crash due to a stack overflow. This can be exploited to launch DoS attacks against systems running vulnerable versions of HtmlUnit.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-2798 and prevent potential exploitation, certain steps can be taken to enhance the security posture of systems using HtmlUnit.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update HtmlUnit to version 2.70.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability. It is crucial to stay informed about security patches and updates to prevent exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporate secure coding practices and consider implementing additional security measures to protect against DoS attacks and other vulnerabilities in web browsing applications.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor for security updates and apply patches promptly to ensure that the software stack, including HtmlUnit, remains secure against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-2798.