Mattermost 6.2 and earlier fails to sufficiently process a specifically crafted GIF file when it is uploaded while drafting a post, which allows authenticated users to cause resource exhaustion while processing the file, resulting in server-side Denial of Service.
The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.
| Name | Vendor | Start Version | End Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mattermost | Mattermost | * | 6.2.0 (including) |
Mitigation of resource exhaustion attacks requires that the target system either:
The first of these solutions is an issue in itself though, since it may allow attackers to prevent the use of the system by a particular valid user. If the attacker impersonates the valid user, they may be able to prevent the user from accessing the server in question.
The second solution is simply difficult to effectively institute – and even when properly done, it does not provide a full solution. It simply makes the attack require more resources on the part of the attacker.