CVE-2018-21270
Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability in stringstream (npm)
What is CVE-2018-21270 About?
This vulnerability is an out-of-bounds read in `stringstream` versions when processing numeric input on Node.js 4.x and below. It occurs because the module allocates uninitialized Buffers, potentially leading to disclosure of sensitive memory contents or application crashes. Exploitation is dependent on specific Node.js versions and the passing of user input into stringstream.
Affected Software
Technical Details
All versions of the stringstream package are vulnerable to an out-of-bounds read when operating on Node.js 4.x and earlier. When a number is passed as input into the stringstream, the module allocates an uninitialized Buffer. Due to this uninitialized memory allocation, if the subsequent read operations exceed the bounds of the intended data, they can access arbitrary memory locations. This can lead to the exposure of sensitive data from other parts of memory or cause application crashes due to attempts to interpret arbitrary data as valid program instructions or data structures.
What is the Impact of CVE-2018-21270?
Successful exploitation may allow attackers to read sensitive information from memory, cause denial of service through application crashes, or potentially infer system behavior.
What is the Exploitability of CVE-2018-21270?
Exploitation of this out-of-bounds read involves passing numeric user input into the stringstream module. It is highly dependent on the environment, specifically requiring Node.js 4.x or below to be the runtime. No authentication or privileged access is directly required to trigger the vulnerability if user input is processed by stringstream. This could be a remote attack vector if the server-side application uses stringstream with remote user input in this manner. The primary constraint is the specific Node.js legacy version. The risk of exploitation increases significantly in older Node.js environments where user input is directly fed into stringstream for numerical processing without validation.
What are the Known Public Exploits?
| PoC Author | Link | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| No known exploits | ||
What are the Available Fixes for CVE-2018-21270?
Available Upgrade Options
- stringstream
- <0.0.6 → Upgrade to 0.0.6
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Book a demoAdditional Resources
- https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/664
- https://github.com/mhart/StringStream/blob/v0.0.5/stringstream.js#L32
- https://github.com/mhart/StringStream/issues/7
- https://hackerone.com/reports/321670
- https://www.npmjs.com/advisories/664
- https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-mf6x-7mm4-x2g7
- https://hackerone.com/reports/321670
What are Similar Vulnerabilities to CVE-2018-21270?
Similar Vulnerabilities: CVE-2021-39144 , CVE-2022-24706 , CVE-2023-45133 , CVE-2024-21390 , CVE-2023-26462
