pyasn1 is a generic ASN.1 library for Python. Prior to 0.6.4, the univ.Real type converted its mantissa, base, and exponent value to a Python float using exact big-integer exponentiation. A BER, CER, or DER encoded REAL value only a few bytes long can carry a very large exponent, causing float conversion through prettyPrint(), str(), comparison, arithmetic, int(), or an explicit float() call to consume excessive CPU and memory and hang applications that decode untrusted ASN.1 data and then print, log, or compare decoded objects. This issue is fixed in version 0.6.4.
Weakness
The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.
Affected Software
| Name | Vendor | Start Version | End Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pyasn1 | Pyasn1 | * | 0.6.4 (excluding) |
| Red Hat Hardened Images | RedHat | mariadb11-8-main-11.8.8-3.hum1 | * |
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