CVE-2023-50730 : What You Need to Know

Grackle has a vulnerability that results in StackOverflowError during GraphQL query processing.

Understanding CVE-2023-50730

Grackle, a GraphQL server written in functional Scala, had a vulnerability that allowed queries with cyclic fragments, leading to a

StackOverflowError

in the JVM.

What is CVE-2023-50730?

Grackle is prone to denial of service attacks due to uncontrolled resource consumption in GraphQL query processing, impacting applications using Grackle with untrusted users.

The Impact of CVE-2023-50730

The vulnerability in Grackle could result in a

StackOverflowError

, potentially affecting the availability of applications and causing denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-50730

The vulnerability in Grackle is related to uncontrolled resource consumption and stack overflow due to the mishandling of cyclic fragments in GraphQL queries.

Vulnerability Description

Grackle, prior to version 0.18.0, did not validate cyclic fragments in GraphQL queries, leading to JVM

StackOverflowError

during query processing.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: typelevel
Product: grackle
Affected Versions: < 0.18.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires constructing GraphQL queries with deeply nested selections, input values, or list types to trigger a stack overflow during parsing.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-50730, users are advised to update Grackle to version 0.18.0 or later and implement additional security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should upgrade to Grackle version 0.18.0 to mitigate the vulnerability and consider implementing input validation mechanisms.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices, perform regular code reviews, and educate developers on secure GraphQL query construction.

Patching and Updates

Refer to GitHub advisory GHSA-g56x-7j6w-g8r8 for patch details and ensure timely application of security updates.