Uncontrolled Recursion SNYK-DEBIAN8-PCRE3-345500

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Introduction

Understanding the Vulnerability: Uncontrolled recursion is a type of vulnerability that occurs when a program or system enters an infinite loop, causing it to consume increasing amounts of memory and eventually leading to a crash or denial of service. In the context of the PCRE 3 library, this vulnerability arises from the OP_KETRMAX feature in the match function in pcre_exec.c, which allows an attacker to craft a regular expression that causes the library to recursively call itself, leading to stack exhaustion.

The Impact of Uncontrolled Recursion

The Consequences of Uncontrolled Recursion: Uncontrolled recursion can have severe consequences, including denial of service, data corruption, and even system crashes. In the case of the PCRE 3 library, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability to cause the library to consume increasing amounts of memory, leading to a denial of service or even a system crash. This vulnerability can be particularly problematic in environments where the PCRE 3 library is used extensively, such as in web servers or other network-facing applications.

The Vulnerability in PCRE 8.41

The Vulnerability in PCRE 8.41: The vulnerability in PCRE 8.41 arises from the OP_KETRMAX feature in the match function in pcre_exec.c. This feature allows the library to recursively call itself when processing a regular expression, which can lead to stack exhaustion if the regular expression is crafted in a specific way. The vulnerability is particularly problematic because it can be exploited remotely, allowing an attacker to cause a denial of service or other problems without requiring any authentication or authorization.

The Remediation of the Vulnerability

The Remediation of the Vulnerability: Unfortunately, there is no fixed version of the PCRE 3 library available for Debian 8 that addresses this vulnerability. This means that users of the PCRE 3 library on Debian 8 are left without a clear solution to the problem. However, users can take steps to mitigate the vulnerability, such as disabling the OP_KETRMAX feature or using a different regular expression library that is not vulnerable to this issue.

The References

Conclusion

Conclusion: The uncontrolled recursion vulnerability in PCRE 8.41 is a serious issue that can have severe consequences, including denial of service, data corruption, and even system crashes. Unfortunately, there is no fixed version of the PCRE 3 library available for Debian 8 that addresses this vulnerability. However, users can take steps to mitigate the vulnerability, such as disabling the OP_KETRMAX feature or using a different regular expression library that is not vulnerable to this issue. It is essential to stay informed about the latest security updates and patches to ensure the security and stability of your systems.

Q: What is uncontrolled recursion?

A: Uncontrolled recursion is a type of vulnerability that occurs when a program or system enters an infinite loop, causing it to consume increasing amounts of memory and eventually leading to a crash or denial of service.

Q: How does the OP_KETRMAX feature in the match function in pcre_exec.c contribute to the vulnerability?

A: The OP_KETRMAX feature in the match function in pcre_exec.c allows the library to recursively call itself when processing a regular expression, which can lead to stack exhaustion if the regular expression is crafted in a specific way.

Q: What are the consequences of uncontrolled recursion?

A: The consequences of uncontrolled recursion can include denial of service, data corruption, and even system crashes. In the case of the PCRE 3 library, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability to cause the library to consume increasing amounts of memory, leading to a denial of service or even a system crash.

Q: Is the vulnerability in PCRE 8.41 exploitable remotely?

A: Yes, the vulnerability in PCRE 8.41 is exploitable remotely, allowing an attacker to cause a denial of service or other problems without requiring any authentication or authorization.

Q: Are there any fixed versions of the PCRE 3 library available for Debian 8 that address this vulnerability?

A: Unfortunately, there is no fixed version of the PCRE 3 library available for Debian 8 that addresses this vulnerability. However, users can take steps to mitigate the vulnerability, such as disabling the OP_KETRMAX feature or using a different regular expression library that is not vulnerable to this issue.

Q: What steps can users take to mitigate the vulnerability?

A: Users can take steps to mitigate the vulnerability by disabling the OP_KETRMAX feature or using a different regular expression library that is not vulnerable to this issue. Additionally, users can stay informed about the latest security updates and patches to ensure the security and stability of their systems.

Q: What are the references for this vulnerability?

A: The references for this vulnerability include:

Q: What is the conclusion of this article?

A: The uncontrolled recursion vulnerability in PCRE 8.41 is a serious issue that can have severe consequences, including denial of service, data corruption, and even system crashes. Unfortunately, there is no fixed version of the PCRE 3 library available for Debian 8 that addresses this vulnerability. However, users can take steps to mitigate the vulnerability, such as disabling the OP_KETRMAX feature or using a different regular expression library that is not vulnerable to this issue. It is essential to stay informed about the latest security updates and patches to ensure the security and stability of your systems.