A crafted JavaScript input executed with the QuickJS release 2025-09-13, fixed in commit fcd33c1afa7b3028531f53cd1190a3877454f6b3 (2025-12-11),qjs interpreter using the -m option and a low memory limit can cause an out-of-memory condition followed by an assertion failure in JS_FreeRuntime (list_empty(&rt->gc_obj_list)) during runtime cleanup. Although the engine reports an OOM error, it subsequently aborts with SIGABRT because the GC object list is not fully released. This results in a denial of service.
Weakness
The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.
Potential Mitigations
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.
Related Attack Patterns
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/147.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/227.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/492.html